"Al Dykes" wrote in message
...
I live in an area where three zones meet on the zone map.
It seems to me that instead of guessing my effective zone, planting
tomatoes comes down to soil temperature and the expected minimum
nighttime temperature.

Does anyone plant this way ?


I would assume most people plant that way. Within the right time to plant
for their zone, of course. I mean, I wouldn't plant tomatoes in January just
because we got a freak hot spell. If the temps are right, I'd plant now, but
we're still getting some frost.

You say you border three zones on the map. What is the lowest temperature
you, or others normally experience in the winter? subtract 5 degrees for a
safety measure, then see which zone corresponds.

Here's a hardiness zone map:
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

Click on your area, then scroll to the bottom for temperatures.