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Suze · February 4, 2006

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

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

Also, here's a link to the AHS heat zone finder (by zip code):
http://www.ahs.org/publications/heat_zone_finder.htm
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, for growing tomatoes, 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 F-6) 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 (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/), and enter your zip code.

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

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

(last updated 2011.02.25)

February 4, 2006	#1
Suze Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 3,027	USDA and Sunset Zone maps Here's a link to the USDA Hardiness zone map: http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html Here's a link to the Sunset climate zones: http://www.sunset.com/garden/climate-zones/ Also, here's a link to the AHS heat zone finder (by zip code): http://www.ahs.org/publications/heat_zone_finder.htm 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, for growing tomatoes, 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 F-6) 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 (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/), and enter your zip code. Here's an example for Fort Worth, TX (http://www.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=fwd) Historical data can also be found on Weather Underground (http://www.wunderground.com/history/) (last updated 2011.02.25)