Three Way Flower Farm

This is kind of a big deal. The USDA updated its winter hardiness zone map for the first time in over a decade. My mind is blown that we are now in zone 8 for Wichita Falls.

What it means for north Texas flower growers? Now you “should” be able to grow flowers like ranunculus and anemones without the protection of a hoophouse or caterpillar tunnel. Woohoo!

What this map doesn’t account for is a couple of things. 1) It doesn’t talk about heat at all. In Texas we get hot, fast, in the spring. This map does emphasize the importance of planting hardy annuals in the fall so they can get established and bloom before it gets too warm in the spring. 2) It also doesn’t talk about extreme cold. While things are obviously getting warmer in our world, the past three winters in north Texas we’ve had some of the coldest weather I’ve seen. This map is average temperatures. Most fall planted annuals and bulbs still need protection when temps get 25-28 degrees Fahrenheit or colder for consecutive days. You can do this by watering well before cold snaps and utilizing frost cloth.

Happy planting Zone 8 friends!!!

Even kitties love goat milk