As an expert in gardening and horticulture, I have spent countless hours studying and analyzing the different garden zones across the United States. One area that often comes up in discussions is North Texas, and specifically, what garden zone it falls under. After thorough research and personal experience, I can confidently say that North Texas is primarily located in Zone 6b, with some areas falling under zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 10a, and 10b. Zone 6b covers the northernmost part of the state, including cities like Amarillo, Canyon, and Hereford. This region experiences an average of 18 inches of snow per year and winter temperatures can drop as low as -10 to -5 °F.
Due to its colder climate, plants from this region are most commonly grown in other North Texas states. However, the rest of Texas enjoys warm weather all year round, even during the winter months. The remaining areas of Texas fall under zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 10a, and 10b. Winter lows can range from -5 degrees F to a milder 20 degrees F.According to the USDA plantation map for Texas, Rockwall County falls under Zone 8b. This information can be found on the USDA website.
It is worth noting that many Dallas-area gardeners have long known that their region is actually warmer than its official USDA Zone 7 status. While this map does not guarantee plant survival, it does provide a solid framework for planning a garden. There has been some controversy surrounding the USDA map and its accuracy in relation to climate change. Some experts argue that the map is not a reliable tool for demonstrating climate change as it is based solely on the coldest days of the year. However, it is still a valuable resource for gardeners looking to plan and maintain their gardens. For example, downtown Dallas, which is located south of the LBJ Highway, was previously considered Zone 8a by local gardening experts.
This further proves that the USDA map may not always accurately reflect the climate of a specific area. Kim Kaplan, a spokesperson for the USDA and part of the team responsible for the map, has even tried to distance the new areas on the map from any issues related to global warming.
