The question of what zone is Connecticut is a difficult one. A good landscaping writer will tell you that the answer to that question depends on what kind of planting you plan to do. If you are going to be using large shrubs, trees, and bushes in your planting design, then you will want to pick a zone that is more tropical or subtropical in nature. Connecticut in this zone has some colder weather. Zone 6 is where you find the majority of hardiness zones.
If you are planting something like a garden, a small tree, or even a shrub, then you will want to move it out of the zone five area, which is where most of the colder weather is. You could also plant a container garden and move it to the zone five for better drainage. However, some plants need a deeper root system in order to survive and thrive in colder temperatures. If you plant these kinds of plants in the wrong zone they will die.
So what zone is Connecticut if you are trying to start seedlings in a container garden? When you start seedlings in a container garden they should be in a warmer zone such as zone six or seven. This means that your seedlings will have adequate growing conditions for at least three to four weeks before you transplant them outdoors. If you are not sure what kind of plant to get in a particular zone, then talk with a local nursery to help you decide what kind of plant will work best in your area.
If you are trying to plant seeds indoors and the last frost date is not until February, then you should be planting your seedlings no later than February 17th. Your seeds should also be protected from freezing damage. Check with your local nursery to find out when the last frost date is in your area. This information is especially important if you are going to be replanting your plants. When your seedlings are exposed to freezing temperatures, they do not survive very long.
Another way to determine what zone is Connecticut by using the USDA zone map. The USDA zone map is very easy to use. It will show you what plants will grow best where. So if you know that the last frost date is in your area, then you can plant your seeds in that zone.
If you are in zone six and the last frost free date is in February, then you can probably get away with keeping your plant un-harvested until April 1st. You may want to start seeds indoors early in the year. When the plants get warmer they will probably produce larger blooms than seeds which are left in the ground waiting for the last frost to kill them. Most gardens have their seeds protected from frost by covers or barriers. This is usually done by electrifying the shelters so they don’t get frost. If you plant seeds outdoors this protection won’t work.
Once your seedlings are established you can plant seeds indoors. Planting seeds indoors can be tricky if you don’t know what zone your garden is in. If you are uncertain what zone your garden is in, then you can look at the USDA map again. The USDA zone map will tell you what plants will grow best where. Then you just plant seeds indoors in the proper areas.
Before you plant your seeds indoors it’s a good idea to do a soil test to make sure your soil is healthy. If you’re planting your seeds indoors you also need to make sure that there is no water leaking into the soil and getting into the roots of the plants. This can cause problems with roots that can rot and stop your garden from producing fruit or seeds. Follow the directions on your seed packets to determine what zone you are in, then follow the appropriate steps for your climate.
