The Three T's of Gardening - Zone 10

Hardiness means a plant or tree will most likely survive in the zone's low temperature extremes. The Hardiness zone refers to the USDA plant hardiness zone map which provides average annual low temperatures that are recorded by the US weather stations. Keep in mind that many variables could affect the plant's success, such as moisture, winds and soil type.

The USDA plant hardiness zone 10 is a great place to garden because it is virtually free of frost. Subtropical and tropical plants grow all year and about the only thing that does not grow in this gardening zone are apples.

The area covered in the USDA plant hardiness Zone 10:

Gardening zone 10 covers the southwestern California coast, the southernmost tip of Florida, the Florida Keys, northern Kauai and central Hawaii.

Types of plants suitable for hardiness Zone 10:

All tropical fruit trees flourish in plant hardiness Zone 10. Perennials are also very successful in this gardening zone. Hardiness zones are useful but heat zones, air moisture and rainfall distributions are also important and need to be taken into consideration, especially in Zone 10.

The following shrubs thrive in this gardening zone: Bougainvillea spectabilis (bougainvillea), Cassia fistula (golden shower), Ficus elastica (rubber plant). There are a plethora of other shrubs that also flourish in this kind weather zone.

Popular trees grown in Zone 10 include: Corymbia citriodora (lemon-scented gum), Ensete ventricosum (Abyssinian-banana), and Roystonea regia (royal palm).

If I lived in Zone 10, I would eat off the land. All vegetables and fruits (except apples) love the sunshine and lack of cold temperatures offered in this plant hardiness zone. The list of what can be grown in this plant hardiness zone is extensive.

Temperature - average annual low - in Zone 10:

This USDA plant hardiness zone average annual low is between 30°F to 40°F or -1°C to 4°C. Although, this year tomatoes were wiped out by frost, this is very out of the ordinary. Growers in this gardening zone should worry more about plants getting too much sunlight.

Tips for planting in hardiness Zone 10:

Use organic compost in your garden bed for added nutrients and to aid in establishing roots.

Fertilize newly planted perennials but use a time-released fertilizer once you plant them in the ground.

The amount of sunlight plants receive in Zone 10 is important. Too much sunlight could kill the plant or not yield much fruit, flowering or new growth.

Other things to consider, once you have verified that the plant should flourish in your gardening zone include: sun exposure, plant origin, soil types, soil drainage, soil moisture, organic content, salt tolerance, height and shape of plant, growth rate, flower, trunk and leaf characteristics, texture and color, fruit characteristics and color, and winter interest.

Growit, Arborday (the best site for tree and perennial information), Naturehills, Lovetoknow and the US National Arboretum offer great search engines and USDA offers a hyperlinked map to assist you with selecting plants for your garden and landscaping needs based on your hardiness zone.

Sources:

Hardiness Zones, Arbor Day Foundation

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, United States National Arboretum

Landscape Plant Selector, Growit

Gardening, Lovetoknow