What Growing Zone Is Durham?

Our records indicate the United States Department of Agriculture has given Durham a growing zone designation of 9b. Sometimes also called the planting or hardiness zone, this zone number gives you an idea of what plants can and cannot grow in Durham's climate based on the average extreme annual temperature.Our data is based on the latest 2023 USDA maps, which used Durham's weather data from 1991 - 2020 in their analysis.

map of growing zone 9b (Northern California)map of growing zone 9bLatest CA growing zone map

If you are looking for plants suitable for growing in the Durham area, head on over to our page on plants that grow well in Durham, CA.

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Raised Garden Bed Kit

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Cluck Around Sign

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Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

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map of growing zone 9b (Northern California)map of growing zone 9bLatest CA growing zone map

The growing zone is a measure of the lowest temperature that a plant can survive based on average lowest year temperatures, helping you to decide what plants would grow best in your particular climate. Since Durham is in growing zone 9b this means that plants there can survive temperatures as low as 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants for Durham's climate should be chosen with this in mind, or plants should be moved inside to keep their core temperature in the right range if necessary.

USDA growing zone map of the United States

Some zones may have been changed by the USDA as of 2023. To see if the Durham area has been affected, refer to this map of half zone changes from the 2012 version of the USDA zones to the 2023 version.

map of usda hardiness zone changes from 2012 to 2023Half zone changes from 2012 to 2023

The updated map shows that over half of the Southeast has warmed by about half a zone. For gardeners, that means you can now grow plants that tolerate a bit more heat and less frost than before. The tan areas reflect this shift. Meanwhile, the white areas had slight temperature changes, but not enough to move them into a new zone. In the Western U.S., a few spots shifted cooler. That’s not due to a colder climate, but because the new map uses a larger dataset, giving a more accurate picture of local conditions. It's important to keep track of these changes when planning your garden!

Hardiness Zone FAQ

Have questions about hardiness zones and what they mean for your garden? Check out our FAQ below for quick answers to common questions about USDA hardiness zones and how they affect plant selection in Durham, CA.

The USDA hardiness zone is 9b for Durham. This is sometimes also referred to as the growing or planting zone. These terms are used interchangeably.

Durham's Growing Zone Details

USDA Growing Zone: 9b

Zip Codes: 95965, 95958, 95928, 95938

Longitude: -121.7875

Latitude: 39.6232

Lowest Avg Temperatures (F): 25 to 30

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Whimsical sign for your chicken coop area.
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Map of the Durham Area

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Plants For Other States

Looking for the best plants in a different area of the United States? Click on a button below to find plants that are ideal for that state's temperatures.

Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Nevada New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Vermont Washington Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming
Reusable Grow Bags

Reusable Grow Bags

Breathable fabric grow bags that promote healthy root growth for your vegetables and fruits.
Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Sturdy basket for collecting and carrying your garden harvest.
Brass Watering Can

Brass Watering Can

Elegant brass watering can with classic design and durability.
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Small Greenhouse Kit

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