Michigan Zone 7

[DTS]

I have noticed on the USDA Hardiness Zone Map, some tiny patches of zone 7a started popping up a long the west coast covers most of the Manutou Islands of Michigan, but when you look at the downloadable map, it doesn't show that 7a exists-


I know 7a doesn't change anything about the climate at all, but it's just interesting to see a new zone leaking into Michiga

[RFun]

  On 10/17/2024 at 12:32 PM, DTS said:

I have noticed on the USDA Hardiness Zone Map, some tiny patches of zone 7a started popping up a long the west coast covers most of the Manutou Islands of Michigan, but when you look at the downloadable map, it doesn't show that 7a exists-


I know 7a doesn't change anything about the climate at all, but it's just interesting to see a new zone leaking into Michiga

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I'd keep in mind that that is a Michigan Zone 7.  That area is susceptible to arctic cold during Winter.  There may be many days below freezing and that is going to limit what you can grow on the palm side of things without any protection.

[RFun]

  On 10/17/2024 at 6:42 PM, RFun said:

I'd keep in mind that that is a Michigan Zone 7.  That area is susceptible to arctic cold during Winter.  There may be many days below freezing and that is going to limit what you can grow on the palm side of things without any protection.

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That is a nice microclimate area, regardless.  Certainly possible to try some different plants in that area that can take some cold pretty well.

The larger scale maps have never been great at mapping the microclimates.  Truthfully, there are so many in a given area that they are very difficult to map.

[DTS]

  On 10/17/2024 at 6:42 PM, RFun said:

I'd keep in mind that that is a Michigan Zone 7.  That area is susceptible to arctic cold during Winter.  There may be many days below freezing and that is going to limit what you can grow on the palm side of things without any protection.

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Yeah I know, I was just pointing out that it exists here now, which is cool!

[SeanK]

I don't see it on the 300dpi download, nor by expanding the US map. It's probably z7 just like the Aleutians. 5° to 10° every night for 30 nights straight and 15,000 HDD.

[DTS]

  On 10/18/2024 at 3:34 PM, SeanK said:

I don't see it on the 300dpi download, nor by expanding the US map. It's probably z7 just like the Aleutians. 5° to 10° every night for 30 nights straight and 15,000 HDD.

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Most likely it's like most of lower Michigan where the temperatures are cool then really drop from an artic black for a week

[RFun]

  On 10/18/2024 at 4:37 PM, DTS said:

Most likely it's like most of lower Michigan where the temperatures are cool then really drop from an artic black for a week

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I'm sure many gardeners have tried different things living by Lake Michigan.  The snow pack on the eastern side really helps out as well.