From away to garden dot com and Robinhood Radio dot com, this is away to garden with Margaret

Roach.

You're a weekly invitation to dig in and grow.

You know doubt have seen news that the USDA plant hardiness zone map was just updated and

that half the country once again got reclassified a half-zone warmer, just as many of us did after the previous update of the map in 2012.

But what does it all mean to gardeners practically speaking?

Today's guest is Dr. Todd Roundsville, a USDA research scientist who was involved in the years-long project that led to the creation of the new map,

and he'll help us drill into what it reveals and to other factors affecting plant hardiness. So more in a moment but first these messages.

Underwriting support for a way to garden comes from Colorblends, wholesale flower bulbs,

flower bulbs for landscape professionals and ambitious residential gardeners at Colorblends.com.

Season your spring with Colorblends this fall. Also from high mowing seeds, I'm so glad to welcome Dr. Todd Roundsaville,

a USDA horticulturist and research scientist

who leads the US National Arboretum Jurmplasm Program.

Todd acted as chairman of the Technical Review Team

for the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map,

a group of about 40 people across the country.

Thanks for making time today, Todd,

and it must feel good to see the multi-year effort

come to fruition.

Good morning.

Thanks for having me.

And yes, it's nice to have this out

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