Freshly Updated Plant Hardiness Zone Map

...you know, it's the colorful map on the back of most seed packets...

It had not been updated since 1990.  The following is a summary from the USDA's press release: 

• The Plant Hardiness Zone Map is divided into bands or zones in 10-degree increments.
• The zones represent the average annual lowest winter temperature for the particular location.
• The zones don't represent the coldest temperatures past or future.
• The lowest winter temperature is key for the survival of certain plants.

The new map is...

• more accurate and shows greater detail
• adjusted for minor shifts in temperature
• further divided into 5-degree Fahrenheit zones labeled A and B.
• internet friendly and features a "find your own ZIP code" function
• available online at www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov
• updated with two new zones: 12 (50-60 degrees F) and 13 (60-70 degrees F)
• adjusted to include improved better data gathered by more advanced weather stations over a longer period of time
• more accurate around large bodies of water and takes into account elevation changes.

2012 Plant Hardiness Zone