Since the previous 'plant hardiness' map, about half the U.S. shifted a half-zone warmer, including much of Wisconsin. 'Plant hardiness' can help map Wisconsin's changing climate. Here's how.

Since the last map was released in 2012, all of Wisconsin's hardiness zones have shifted about half a zone warmer, said Laura Jull, associate professor in the plant and agrosystem sciences ...

Plant hardiness zones in Wisconsin range from 6a, which denotes an average minimum temperature of -5 to -10 degrees, to 3b, which is an average minimum of -30 to -35 degrees.

Plant hardiness zones in Wisconsin range from 6a, which denotes an average minimum temperature of -5 to -10 degrees, to 3b, ...

2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map More directly, a changing USDA map will impact what you can grow. Tropical or less hardy species are more likely to survive in a higher zone classification.

The Plant Hardiness Zone Map is based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, displayed as 10-degree F zones ranging from zone 1 (coldest) to zone 13 (warmest), the USDA notes.

Most of Northeast Wisconsin hasn't seen a drastic shift in hardiness zone. Other parts of the state have seen a more interesting change though. This is a look at the prior map in Wisconsin, which ...

RELATED: Wisconsin Plant Hardiness Zone changes; what it means for you Scientists also use the map for data in many research models, such as those modeling the spread of exotic weeds and insects.

Since the previous 'plant hardiness' map, about half the U.S. shifted a half-zone warmer, including much of Wisconsin.

Plant hardiness zones in Wisconsin range from 6a, which denotes an average minimum temperature of -5 to -10 degrees, to 3b, which is an average minimum of -30 to -35 degrees. Advertisement ...