Quote:
Originally Posted by planetrj
If anyone understands PRECISELY what the "From/To" chart is about. Please let me know.
One theory is: Global Warming/Updated minimums.
Another is: Total Variance in that sub-zone.
Thanks!
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I believe it's variation in general. For example, we're zone 8 here. One can expect it to get down to the low 20's here, and sometimes in scary winters can go to the teens, however, from time to time through our records we have indeed met lower. Thankfully we've never ever seen below 5 degrees in the last, I think, 40 years? Or more. So, with it varying, it's safe to say that if something was "hardy to zone 8" out here, I would most certainly mulch and protect it well just in case.
So in a nutshell though, one should always be prepped for upper teens in zone 8. Because, though not too common, it does happen. We've gotten in twice in the ten years here I've remembered.
Oh yeah, also, - From/To means from #a to #b. For example, 8a is 15 degrees, 8b is 20 degrees. So though you're in zone 8, you could be from a to b. But personally I just consider both when it comes to growing plants whose sensitivity are just a letter (5 degrees) away from dying.