USDA and Sunset Zone maps
 

Here's a link to the USDA Hardiness zone map:
[URL]http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html[/URL]

Here's a link to the Sunset climate zones:
[URL]http://www.sunset.com/garden/climate-zones/[/URL]

Also, here's a link to the AHS heat zone finder (by zip code):
[URL]http://www.ahs.org/publications/heat_zone_finder.htm[/URL]
The metric on this one, if I recall correctly, is based on the the number of days ~85F or greater/per year.

However, in my opinion, [I]for growing tomatoes[/I], folks are going to get the most useful information by looking at their own area historical climatological data -- daily highs and lows, precipitation, etc.

This can be found in chart form by month (sometimes referred to as [B]F-6[/B]) on your local National Weather Service website. Find your local forecast, then look for links to local climatology for the closest major city. Here's where to start out ([URL]http://www.nws.noaa.gov/[/URL]), and enter your zip code.

Here's an example for Fort Worth, TX [URL="http://www.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=fwd"](http://www.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=fwd[/URL])

Historical data can also be found on Weather Underground ([URL]http://www.wunderground.com/history/[/URL])


[I][B][SIZE=2](last updated 2011.02.25)[/SIZE][/B][/I]

USDA and Sunset Zone maps
 

Thank you.

Suze,

Thanks for the info on that website. I stumbled upon the Houston data a while back but have had a hard time explaining to people how to use that website. The data is still in different formats depending upon the region. The data for Dallas/FW is more organized than Houston I think.

Still the best info is the Normals (Max/Min) for estimating when the average high is SUPPOSED to be below 90. Then I just have to aim for fruit set around that time (I think).

What happens if I jump the gun and start transplants a few days/weeks early and set them out? Will the bugs get to them? Will the heat get to them? My first time on gardening and especially on doing 2 crops of tomatoes.


P.S. Did you get soaked today? 1-2 hours of rain is nice. But 8?

P.P.S. I'm having GW withdrawls.

Hi, Feldon--

[quote=feldon27]Still the best info is the Normals (Max/Min) for estimating when the average high is SUPPOSED to be below 90. Then I just have to aim for fruit set around that time (I think).

What happens if I jump the gun and start transplants a few days/weeks early and set them out? Will the bugs get to them? Will the heat get to them? My first time on gardening and especially on doing 2 crops of tomatoes.[/quote]

When were you planning on starting your seeds? I think you had said at the other place that it would be soon.

I live in the metroplex and generally get mine started sometime before mid-June (will probably do it the weekend of the 10th) for transplant no later than Aug 1.

You're going to be pretty much on that same schedule in South Texas -- but will have more potential leeway in getting mid/late season fruit to ripen than I do. And that's why I mostly stick with the cherry/small fruited types.

Yes, the heat can get to them if you aren't careful. The transplants don't need to be grown in all-day blazing sun; they could be grown where there is good morning sun or a strong all-day dapple. Then there's shade cloth.

Also, you can grow your transplants inside under lights, then move them out for the last two weeks of July to very carefully harden off.

[quote=feldon27]
P.S. Did you get soaked today? 1-2 hours of rain is nice. But 8?[/quote]

Not yet -- looks you guys are really getting hammered, though. Hope things dry out for you.

Starting seeds the next few days. Probably June 1-June 15th.

The guides for Houston say to put tomato transplants in (or outside) around July 25th.

I keep looking at my lists thinking I'm being too ambitious with large fruited varieties. I'll probably double-up on mid-size fruit. Still thinking of pulling the trigger and getting a few more mid-sized winners like Opalka, Jaune Flamme, and Anna Russian.

[quote=feldon27]I keep looking at my lists thinking I'm being too ambitious with large fruited varieties. I'll probably double-up on mid-size fruit. Still thinking of pulling the trigger and getting a few more mid-sized winners like Opalka, Jaune Flamme, and Anna Russian.[/quote]

Sounds like a good plan, Feldon. Sure, try a few larger fruited varieties, but odds are that you're probably going to have the best success with the smaller fruited and earlier varieties. Just about any cherry type will do. Sungold is fabulous, so is Sun Cherry, Black Cherry, Green Grape, Dr. Carolyn, Gardener's Delight.

Also, Stupice, Matina, Bloody Butcher, Kimberly. I know the first three will set well in Sept, yet to find out about Kim. I figure it's going to do just fine, as it's still setting for me now.

And Silvery Fir Tree.

Have had good luck with Anna for fall crop in the past. Another one you might want to consider for fall is Kosovo -- it has been really early and prolific for me this year.

Jaune Flamme -- excellent choice.

I wasn't really planning on being deluged with cherry tomatoes. If that's most of what I can grow, I'll grow other stuff like yellow wax beans, brussels sprouts, etc.

I am going to grow Sungold and maybe Matt's Wild Cherry again (nursery-bought) if my first attempt at seed fermenting works. :)

Just to update, no Opalkas for me, but Viva Italia, San Marzano, Sungold, Stupice, Eva Purple Ball, Matt's Wild Cherry (2 cuttings took root and are doing very well, plus a few of the seeds I saved FINALLY came up -- my first time saving seeds I must have missed something) are all doing well. I still have a lot of large fruited varieties so I guess I am just going to roll the dice.

Never know, they might have something interesting at local nurseries too. 2 nurseries are supposed to have transplants in a week or 3.

USDA Hardiness Zones for Europe.
[url]http://seedrack.com/eurozones.html[/url]
In case anybody is interested.
Amideutch

[quote=amideutch]USDA Hardiness Zones for Europe.
[url]http://seedrack.com/eurozones.html[/url]
In case anybody is interested.
Amideutch[/quote]

Ted, good idea -- thanks for posting it.

Thanks, this was a keeper

SUZE ~

Regarding the Zones, is there any way to figure out which zone is most similar to mine in South Africa? :o

I guess that if I can establish that, I can find help in the various areas more easily...?

Cheers!

[url]http://www.backyardgardener.com/zone/africa.html[/url]

Thanks Ami ~

Does that equate to the US zones? So, if I'm in zone 10 on that map, is it also zone 10 on the US map?

[URL]http://www.backyardgardener.com/zone/index.html[/URL]