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Gardening in an Age of Climate Change

It’s Earth Day, which means different things to different people. For Gov. Corbett, it’s a day to hand out more than $300,000 to 92 separate groups and schools to do environmental education. As a reporter my inbox fills up with everything from “Insurance Companies Eat Green,” (waste-free picnics) to an industry explanation of the “Tremendous Environmental Benefits” of natural gas development. For a good discussion on the history and impact of Earth Day, check out WHYY’s Marty Moss-Coane interview with Adam Rome, author of The Genius of Earth Day.
For many, Earth Day is a reminder that if you haven’t planned your garden, you better start. And due in part to climate change, putting the first shovel in the ground starts earlier now for many Pennsylvania residents.

USDA

Plant Hardiness Map for Pennsylvania.


In 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published an updated Plant Hardiness Map, which divides the country into zones. The zones are based on an average yearly minimum winter temperature, and are used to determine which plants will thrive. Pennsylvania used to be split 50/50 between zones 6 and 5. But now, the map shows significantly more of the state in the warmer zone 6. And the southeast corner of Pennsylvania, along with parts of York County, are actually zone 7, a growing season similar to parts of North and South Carolina.

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