Washington DC Cherry Blossoms 2012

Wondering when the Cherry Blossoms along Washington DC’s Tidal Basin will bloom?  Well, it can be anywhere from mid-March to mid-April depending on what kind of winter we’ve had.  So, it’s hard to pin down to an exact date until about 10 days before they actually bloom.  According to National Park Service chief horticulturist Robert DeFeo, the “peak” bloom period for 2012 will probably be March 24 – 28.   That means that buds could start opening as early as March 20th and last for about 14 days.

The National Park Service monitors the stages of bud development to try and give a more accurate bloom date the closer we get to the actual “pop”.  So, check out the Bloom Watch page on the festival’s website for the latest information.

This year Washington DC will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival.  It’s a five week event from March 20 – April 27, 2012.   See their website for details and a full schedule.

 

2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Do you know your Plant Hardiness Zone? It’s an important piece of information to have before you purchase plants for your garden because it helps you determine which plants will survive in your area.

In February 2012, the USDA released a new Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the first update in 25 years.  Additions to the map are Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.  You will also see a very detailed breakdown of each zone. 

An interactive version of the map is now available at the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Click on your state, or enter in your zip code to get your hardiness zone.