The world is getting weird and food insecurity along with global supply chain disruptions are becoming increasingly common. The interconnectedness of today’s landscape provides an environment where a few guys with AK’s in a desert (literally) can disrupt global supply lines, it’s more crucial than ever to take control of our food sources. Growing your own food is a powerful act of resilience and self-sufficiency. This can’t be stressed enough. Self-sufficiency is simply too obvious and intelligent to ignore. Why not get started today? Plant some seeds, share your veggies with neighbors, develop your community and network of people with common goals and world views. Here is a simple guide to help you get started in your food production journey. This arguably is the most important bit of information when taking that first step in food production and self-sufficiency.
Know your Grow Zones in America and Best Crops for Each
The United States is segmented into multiple USDA Hardiness Zones, commonly referred to as “grow zones,” which are based on the average annual minimum winter temperature. These zones provide valuable guidance to gardeners and farmers regarding the plants most likely to thrive in their specific regions. The USDA zones range from Zone 1 (coldest) to Zone 13 (warmest). Below is an overview of the various grow zones in America, along with examples of crops that are best suited for each zone.
Zone 1: Extreme Cold
Average Annual Minimum Temperature: -60°F to -50°F
Locations: Northernmost parts of Alaska
Growing Season: Short, typically less than 90 days
Best Crops:
Root Vegetables: Potatoes, carrots, radishes
Cold-Tolerant Greens: Kale, spinach
Berries: Raspberries, lingonberries
Herbs: Chives, mint, thyme
Zone 2: Very Cold
Average Annual Minimum Temperature: -50°F to -40°F
Locations: Parts of Alaska, northern Minnesota, and some mountainous regions
Growing Season: 90–100 days
Best Crops:
Cold-Tolerant Vegetables: Cabbage, broccoli, beets
Perennials: Rhubarb, asparagus
Herbs: Oregano, mint, parsley
Berries: Blueberries, currants
Zone 3: Cold
Average Annual Minimum Temperature: -40°F to -30°F
Locations: Northern states like Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana
Growing Season: 100–120 days
Best Crops:
Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, onions
Cool-Season Greens: Lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard
Berries: Strawberries, blackberries, gooseberries
Grains: Barley, oats
Zone 4: Cold
Average Annual Minimum Temperature: -30°F to -20°F
Locations: Parts of New York, Wisconsin, Michigan, Montana
Growing Season: 120–150 days
Best Crops:
Root Vegetables: Potatoes, garlic, turnips
Cool-Season Crops: Cabbage, peas, cauliflower
Fruits: Apples, cherries, plums
Grains: Rye, wheat
Zone 5: Temperate
Average Annual Minimum Temperature: -20°F to -10°F
Locations: Parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas
Growing Season: 150–180 days
Best Crops:
Vegetables: Tomatoes, beans, squash, peppers
Herbs: Basil, dill, cilantro
Fruits: Pears, grapes, raspberries
Grains: Corn, soybeans
Zone 6: Mild-Temperate
Average Annual Minimum Temperature: -10°F to 0°F
Locations: Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, parts of the Pacific Northwest
Growing Season: 180–200 days
Best Crops:
Warm-Season Vegetables: Tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, melons
Fruits: Peaches, apricots, grapes
Herbs: Rosemary, lavender, sage
Grains: Sorghum, wheat
Zone 7: Warm-Temperate
Average Annual Minimum Temperature: 0°F to 10°F
Locations: Northern Georgia, Tennessee, parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico
Growing Season: 200–240 days
Best Crops:
Warm-Season Vegetables: Peppers, okra, sweet corn, eggplant
Fruits: Figs, kiwis, blackberries
Herbs: Thyme, oregano, lemongrass
Grains: Rice, millet
Zone 8: Mild-Warm
Average Annual Minimum Temperature: 10°F to 20°F
Locations: Texas, South Carolina, parts of Oregon and Washington
Growing Season: 240–270 days
Best Crops:
Warm-Season Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, tomatoes, melons, squash
Tropical Fruits: Pineapple, bananas (in some microclimates)
Herbs: Basil, lemongrass, mint
Grains: Rice, corn
Zone 9: Warm
Average Annual Minimum Temperature: 20°F to 30°F
Locations: California, Florida, southern Texas
Growing Season: 270–300 days
Best Crops:
Tropical Vegetables: Eggplant, okra, hot peppers, tomatoes
Fruits: Citrus (oranges, lemons, limes), avocados, guava
Herbs: Cilantro, basil, ginger
Grains: Rice, sorghum
Zone 10: Subtropical
Average Annual Minimum Temperature: 30°F to 40°F
Locations: Southern Florida, southern Texas, coastal California
Growing Season: Year-round
Best Crops:
Tropical Fruits: Bananas, mangoes, papayas, lychee
Vegetables: Peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, beans
Herbs: Basil, mint, lemongrass
Grains: Rice, corn
Zone 11: Tropical
Average Annual Minimum Temperature: 40°F to 50°F
Locations: Hawaii, parts of Puerto Rico
Growing Season: Year-round
Best Crops:
Tropical Fruits: Coconuts, breadfruit, passion fruit, papaya
Vegetables: Cassava, sweet potatoes, yams
Herbs: Turmeric, ginger, lemongrass
Grains: Sugarcane, taro
Zone 12–13: Equatorial
Average Annual Minimum Temperature: 50°F to 70°F
Locations: Parts of Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and tropical islands
Growing Season: Year-round
Best Crops:
Tropical Fruits: Pineapples, mangoes, bananas, starfruit
Vegetables: Taro, yams, plantains
Herbs: Tropical spices (cardamom, vanilla, allspice)
Grains: Tropical grains (rice, sorghum)
Helpful tips from past failures
Research the native plants in your region. Avoid cultivating crops, such as tomatoes, that are not native to your state, as they may require significant effort and time to grow successfully. Allow your local climate and growing zone to guide your planting choices.
Begin by researching the caloric and nutritional content of various plants. Prioritize planting crops that offer the highest caloric yield. While herbs like basil are pleasant, they are not sufficient for sustenance, so avoid focusing primarily on spices or small vegetables.
When beginning your gardening journey, it’s advisable to research and select the top three plants suitable for cold weather and the top three for warm weather. Initially, enthusiasm can sometimes overshadow careful planning, leading to an overwhelming number of plants. Each plant family has unique requirements, so it’s beneficial to start with a manageable number and thoroughly understand their needs—from germination to pruning and harvesting. This focused approach will help you build a solid foundation for successful gardening.
The world has plenty of problems, keep focusing on the solutions.