The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Plant Hardiness Zone Map confirms what gardeners have been noticing for years – our winters aren’t as cold as they used to be. USDA just released new ...

With the first week of winter officially underway, many local gardeners are adding compost, cuddling potted plants against the house and making room for outdoor plants to come indoors. Yet winterizing ...

The USDA’s winter hardiness zone map has long been the standard used by home gardeners, plant breeders and researchers to determine which plants are most likely to thrive in their location, based on ...

This past winter was one of the warmest and wettest on record. What do these weather extremes mean for the plants in your garden? The answer isn’t simple. One tool to help is the U.S. Department of ...

Low temperature is a crucial factor in the survival of plants at specific locations, but it's not the only thing for gardeners to keep in mind when selecting plants and locations for them to grow.

Dear Master Gardener: I heard that with global warming, the Brainerd area is now zone 4. Can we successfully grow zone 4 plants now? Answer: According to the USDA, temperature updates to plant ...

What do the updates to the USDA plant hardiness map mean for area gardeners? Don’t try to grow bananas just yet. How we can protect native species. Spring thaw is the gardener’s awakening, time to ...

Gemma is an experienced freelance writer who has spent the last five years focusing on expert-driven content relating to homes and gardens. She has contributed to several lifestyle publications ...