USDA Hardiness Zone Map Updated

Tennessee's new Hardiness Zone Map shows the diversity of our long, narrow state!

Is that zone 8a over in our corner of Shelby  County?

Overall, zones have shifted north about a half-step, which the USDA attributes to "using new average minimum temperatures."  They say it doesn't have anything to do with climate change.  Hmmm.

Here's the U. S. map:

You can read more about it at the USDA website.  They've even set up a nifty interactive map, so you can input a zip code and get the hardiness zone.