MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia gardeners may be tempted to try some new varieties this growing season, based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's just-released growing map.
The so-called Plant Hardiness Zone Map is a breakdown of annual minimum temperature averages that occur in a region over several decades. The new growing map is the first update in more than 20 years.
West Virginia University extension agent John Porter said while the changes are small, the southern portion of the state could provide conditions for new varieties of flowers or vegetables.
For instance, the Kanawha County agent says he has been growing a plant used to make black and green teas in China. His property falls in what the USDA calls Zone 7a on the grow map.
