Zone 5 is one of 13 USDA Hardiness Zones (United States Department of Agriculture). Each zone is divided into two subsets. Zone 5 subsets are 5a and 5b. The zone designations can aid you in selecting plants that will survive each zone's cold temperatures.
Zone 5 Hardiness Temperatures
Each zone is determined by the average minimum winter temperatures of each. The temperatures for each zone are separated by a difference of 10°F.
Zone 5 is 10° colder than Zone 6.
Zone 4 is 10° colder than Zone 5 and so on.
Subset Zone Temperatures
Each zone subset is separated by 5°F. For Zone 5, the temperature range is:
Zone 5: The minimum average range of temperatures is -10° to -20°F.
Zone 5a: This subzone has a minimum average temperature of -15° to -20° F.
Zone 5b: This subzone has a minimum average temperature of -10° to -15°F.
The temperatures can drop below the average minimums due to unusual weather patterns.
2012 Hardiness Zone Changes
In 2012, USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) updated the 1990 hardiness zone with a 5°F half-zone increase. This change is possibly due to better mapping technology along with greater participation in data sharing by weather stations.
Zone 5 States
There are 32 states in Zone 5. States have more than one hardiness zone due to climate conditions and topography. For example, there are four zones in Wyoming.
Zone 5 States
Alaska
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Frost Dates
The majority of vegetables can be grown in Zone 5. This zone is considered a medium growing season, but is shorter than higher numbered zones. Many vegetables can reach maturation before the first frost.
The last frost date is typically May 15.
The first frost date is October 15.
It's important that Zone 5 growers keep up with temperature changes, especially frost warnings. A frost date app is an excellent gardening tool for short growing seasons, so you receive information for your zip code about frost warnings.
Growing Season Extenders
You can increase the growing timeframe with such things as raised beds that keep the soil warmer than field crops. You can also use hoop tunnels over raised beds/rows or plant inside cold frames.
Zone 5 Growing Tips
The hardiness zone map is a valuable tool for growing the plants best suited for your region. There's a wide variety of Zone 5 vegetables, fruits, nuts and other plant life you can grow.
Some of Zone 5 fruit tree varieties include Harrow Delight pear, Warren plum, Pink Lady apple and native Pawpaw trees.
Vegetables include beans, beets, corn, cucumbers, tomatoes and most vegetables.
Nut trees ideal for Zone 5 include walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnut and hickory nuts.
Start seeds indoors at least six weeks before the last frost date or sooner.
Check the zone and days on vegetable, herb and flower seed packets and plant containers. The days represent the maturation time from seed sowing to harvesting or flower blooming. Use this information to plan your garden.
Considerations Beyond Zone Designations
The designated USDA Hardiness Zone Map uses the low temperatures to divide the country into various zones. The zones are meant to guide you in selecting suitable plant life for your climate. However, the zone map doesn't include valuable growing information, such as microclimates, droughts, rainfall, soil conditions/fertility and unusual weather patterns. This information is available in The New Western Garden Book.
Gardening in Zone 5
The gardening timeframe in Zone 5 can be augmented by various season extenders. By using these and other tools, you can grow all kinds of trees, flower, vegetables and other plants.
