Help on Zones pleaase.
 

I hear you all refering to various "Zones" and I understand the implications.
The lower the zone number obviously the cooler the climate etc so that the north Canada etc is zone 5 say and southern Florida for example is zone 9 or so.
So that I can relate to this can anyone tell me what "Zone" I am in....or do these zones not apply to England.
I live in the West Midlands Near to Birmingham.
I am lead to believe that my area is quite sheltered.
We have had a succession of fairly mild Winters and Basjoo survived with extensive wrapping.I would not however leave ANY Musa plant outside unprotected.
Our biggest problem is cold winds .
What area would you say I compare with in USA??
Thanks again and congrats on a great site.

Re: Help on Zones pleaase.
 

Sorry folks "Help on spelling " needed also.!!!!!
Should be "Help on Zones PLEASE".

Re: Help on Zones pleaase.
 

If you can tell me your temperature range during the winter, I would be able to estimate your zone equivalent.

So what is the average lowest minimum temperature and the average lowest maximum temperature during the winter in your area?

Re: Help on Zones pleaase.
 

Here's more detail on finding your matching USDA Zone:

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hrdzon3.html

Re: Help on Zones pleaase.
 

Does this help any :-
January temperature 4 degrees c
1st Air frost 1st /15th October
Last Air frost 1st May / 1st June.
I am trying to find out more.

Re: Help on Zones pleaase.
 

Based on USDA definition, you should be in Zone 9. However, there is a very big difference. You don't have hot summers like those of USDA zone 9. You are more like in the coastal area zone 9. You have way cooler summer temperature, hovering on the long term average at about 70-75 deg F for just a month. Most fruiting bananas need 70 deg F soil temp to bloom and fruit, and to grow well, temperature should be around 85 to 95 deg F. You also have wetter, damp, less sunshine, almost always cloudy the entire year. Major problem there is that bananas would be susceptible to rot and other diseases. Not to discourage you but few varieties might make it there. Just wanted to tell you that even if you are in zone 9 equivalent, the comparisons are still like between apples and oranges.

A more accurate climatic classification is the Sunset Zone definitions, but very few retail outlets use this method, and you can search for this in the net.

I visited North Hampton Shire and stayed there for one month, got to visit Birmingham as well, and the whole time I was there, I only got one hour of sunshine. Of course, it was early spring.

Re: Help on Zones pleaase.
 

Thank you for replying and taking the trouble to find out my Zone No.
As you have visited UK then you know what our climate is like.
If you saw one hour of sun then you did well.
We have a very dull cloudy GREY climate. Our seasons now seem to be Autumn (fall) all year round.
My best bet is Basjoo of course and all the rest of my Musa plants are in pots so that they can be protected indoors during Winter.
I shall continue to try to grow Banana plants in the open ground but am prepared for losses.

Re: Help on Zones pleaase.
 

You may try Musa sikkimensis, it is slightly cold hardier than the basjoo. Last winter, side by side in the backyard, Musa sikkimensis did not have a single damage leaf, while all the leaves of my basjoo got fried, but the trunk remained alive. We went to as low as -3 deg C with about 10 days of total frosty nights.