SUNSET ZONES vs USDA ZONES

Gardeners in the western United States sometimes are confused when confronted with the 11 Hardiness Zones created by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), because they are used to a 24-zone climate system created 40 years ago by Sunset Magazine. The Sunset zone maps, which cover 13 Western states, are much more precise than the USDA's, since they factor in not only winter minimum temperatures, but also summer highs, lengths of growing seasons, humidity, and rainfall patterns to provide a more accurate picture of what will grow there.

Santa Cruz County is considered a High Desert area. Based on Sunset Zones - our climate is ZONE 10 & based on USDA Zones - our climate is ZONE 8.

• Growing season: April to early November
•  Chilly (even snow-dusted) weather rules from late November through February
• Lows from 31 degrees to 24 degrees F/-1 degree to -4 degrees C.
• Rain comes in summer as well as in the cooler seasons.