What Growing Zone Is Mount Sterling?
Our records indicate the United States Department of Agriculture has given Mount Sterling a growing zone designation of 6a. Sometimes also called the planting or hardiness zone, this zone number gives you an idea of what plants can and cannot grow in Mount Sterling's climate based on the average extreme annual temperature. .Our data is based on the latest 2023 USDA maps, which used Mount Sterling's weather data from 1991 - 2020 in their analysis.

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

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Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Worm Composting Kit

Reusable Grow Bags

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 Mount Sterling is in growing zone 6a this means that plants there can survive temperatures as low as -10 to -5 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants for Mount Sterling'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.

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

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!
Mount Sterling's Growing Zone Details
USDA Growing Zone: 6a
Zip Codes: 52573
Longitude: -91.9353
Latitude: 40.6185
Lowest Avg Temperatures (F): -10 to -5

Small Greenhouse Kit

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

Reusable Grow Bags

Metal Seed Storage Box

Shiitake Mushroom Kit
Map of the Mount Sterling Area
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Fiskars Garden Harvest Basket

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis
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.

Small Greenhouse Kit

Raised Garden Planter

Steel Hori Hori Weeding Knife

Worm Composting Kit

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set
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