U.S. to Gardeners: Climate Change Is Altering What Will Grow

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration has a message for gardeners: The climate is changing. And, that means your gardens are changing too.

In a new effort, NOAA will start posting signs in public gardens affiliated with the American Public Gardens Association that show how scientists expect hardiness zones to shift in the coming years and decades. Hardiness zones indicate which plants will grow in which parts of the country, based on the length of the growing season and average high and low temperatures.

Already, the Department of Agriculture hardiness zone map, last updated in 1990, is considered out of date/ In 2006 the Arbor Day Foundation released a revised version reflecting warmer temperatures experienced across the U.S.

Take a look at the new NOAA sign below, learn more about NOAA's climate change research, then view The Daily Green's organic gardening and lawn care tips.

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