CROSSVILLE —
Gardeners scouting garden centers, nurseries, seed catalogs and the Internet for suitable new vegetation to add to their home landscapes and/or determining when to plant in springtime should know two things: 1) the date the last spring frost normally occurs and 2) your zone on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Do remember, however, that these are merely guidelines derived from climate records kept over a long span of years, not the product of an exact science. Temperature data from the past cannot predict precisely future conditions.
The date your area has the Last Spring Frost helps you estimate when heat-loving annuals (whether bedding plants or tender garden vegetables) can be transplanted and when seeds for cold-sensitive plants can be sown directly in gardens with a high probability they will not be harmed by frosts and freezes
Perennial plants are those that can survive for years as long as their needs for temperature, moisture, sunlight and soil conditions are met. Determining whether a certain perennial will thrive in your landscape has traditionally been based primarily upon that plant’s tolerance to winter cold and how chilly it gets where you live. A conservative approach is to consult the United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine the zone for your location then choose perennials with that zone listed mid-way in their hardiness range. For example if you live in Zone 6, select plants known to be winter hardy in zones 5 through 7. Hardiness zones on the map are intervals with 10 degrees Fahrenheit (F) of separation, each divided into two 5-degree subzones, the cooler of which is designated as the ‘a’ partition and the warmer as the ‘b’ partition. Zones defined in our state and the corresponding average low temperatures associated with each are Zone 5b (minus 15 to minus 10 degrees F), Zone 6a (minus 10 degrees to minus 5 degrees F), Zone 6b (minus 5 degrees to zero degrees F), Zone 7a (zero degrees to 5 degrees F), Zone 7b (5 degrees to 10 degrees F) and Zone 8a (10 degrees to 15 degrees F).
Be aware that within each zone there are normally microclimates. Heat islands caused by lots of blacktop and concrete occur in cities. Temperatures are cooler at higher elevations and in valleys between small hills. Experienced gardeners may even recognize some differences in growing conditions affecting plant hardiness in various parts of their yards.
The newest version of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map was published in 2012. The map zones were determined based on average minimum temperatures recorded over a 30-year period (1976-2005). View the 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map using a computer at http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMweb/. Select the state of Tennessee in the text box at the top right to get a closer look at hardiness zones in our state. In most but not all Tennessee counties, the plant zone rating in this latest edition of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is one subzone warmer than on the previous map.
Cumberland County plant hardiness and frost dates: Expect the last spring frost about May 10 and the first frost of autumn by Oct. 10. Cumberland County is Zone 6b from Crossville north and west toward Monterey in Putnam County. Small sections along the county line to the southwest near White County, south toward Pikeville in Bledsoe County and southeast by Rhone County are rated a warmer Zone 7a. Enter your zip code at the top left side of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map website referenced above then click ‘Find’ to verify your local plant hardiness zone.
• • •
Plateau Gardening is written by Master Gardeners for gardeners in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland Region. Contact UT Extension Cumberland County at P.O. Box 483, Crossville, TN 38557 (931-484-6743) for answers to horticulture questions, free publications and how to become a Master Gardener. Send email comments or yard & garden inquiries to Master Gardener Rae, MGardenerRae@frontiernet.net.
Lifestyles
Plateau Gardening: Map helps with plant hardiness, local frost dates
- Lifestyles
-
-
Emerson art exhibit at the Shanks Center until June 29
Crossville has done it again! For those who haven't realized how this town is gaining a reputation for its cultural depth and talent, you better head to the Shanks Center for the Arts. At 140 N. Main St., there is now a special exhibit from area photographers. The smash hit, however, is a large selection of varied art work by Camilla Emerson.
-
127 Seniors welcome city mayor to meeting
On June 14, members gathered together at the 127 South Cumberland Senior Center to socialize with coffee, goodies and chit chat. They then played billiards, dominos and bingo, with Wendell Lester calling the numbers. The bingo prizes were furnished by Bob Folger, of State Farm Insurance.
-
Marriage licenses
Published June 19, 2013.
-
Wharton Association's annual book sale preparation under way
For the last six weeks, volunteers have been busy sorting through and categorizing the thousands of new and used books that have been donated to the annual Wharton Association Book Sale and hope to receive many more donations before the sale, which is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13.
-
PLEASANT HILL RAMBLINGS: Town council honors school staff, students
Near to the closing of the school year, the Pleasant Hill Town Council honored outstanding students and staff from the Pleasant Hill Elementary School. Laney Barnwell, a student in Julie Mahaney’s third-grade class was selected for grades K-4. Brianna Kolhepp, a student in Brian Conatser’s homeroom class, was chosen for grades 5-8. Anita Turner has been teaching third grade for 22 years. Ann Webb has been part of the support staff at PHS for 36 years and retired at the end of school year. They were selected by PHS and honored by the town with certificates and gift cards. This summer all teachers are required to spend two or three days in Continuing Education courses in Core Education as part of their in-service training.
-
The arts are alive at Fair Park
If you have ever used your artistic skills in being creative, you know it just makes you feel good inside as you express yourself.
-
PLATEAU GARDENINGS: Beware of ticks, mosquitoes and chiggers, part 1
Before detailing reasons to plant or relocate woody plants later in the year, I want to first warn readers of a current danger from mosquito, tick and chigger bites. People, their pets and livestock are potential targets. Gardeners may encounter these pests in stands of weeds, tall grass, wildflowers or garden plants.
-
A Time 4 Paws celebrates anniversary
April 2013 marked the two-year anniversary of the opening of A Time 4 Paws Adoption Center. A Time 4 Paws (AT4P) is a no kill animal welfare organization operates the adoption center as an alternative to abandoning and/or destroying unwanted animals. With their programs they assist an average of more than 500 animal families per year.
-
Dukes of Hazzard star coming to town June 29
Sonny Shroyer, best known for playing Deputy Enos Strate on the hit TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard," will be appearing Saturday, June 29, at the Cumberland County Community Complex to meet fans and sign autographs. Appearing with him will be Hazzard Life, who will be bringing the famous 1969 Dodge Charger “The General Lee,” along with a Hazzard County police car, Daisy's Jeep and Cooter's tow truck.
-
AROUND THE TOWN: TN fans’ actions immature, unnecessary
Security was beefed up, hate mail received, and threatening phone calls vetted. The Athens (Tennessee) Chamber of Commerce has been embroiled in brouhaha after recruiting Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban to speak at its annual fundraising dinner earlier this week. Reports indicate the chamber has received lots of hate from some Tennessee fans as a result of Saban’s appearance.
- More Lifestyles Headlines
-
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Obama: 'Lives Have Been Saved' by NSA Programs
Obama: Friction in Afghan Talks No Surprise
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: Massive Protests Fill Brazilian Streets
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
