Welcome to Signs of the Seasons: A Maine Phenology Project

USDA 2012 Plant Hardiness Zone Map

NEW!  Gardeners–Start Your Engines!

For the first time since 1990, the USDA has released a new Plant Hardiness Zone Map.  This one is more accurate and detailed and offers a GIS-based interactive format.  You can also search for your zone by zip code.  Due to warming temperatures there have been some shifts in Maine’s growing zones, mainly in York County and Midcoast Maine.  Some plants that have historically only grown “south of the border” can now be grown here.  See the above link to the USDA announcement and read the recent article that appeared in the Kennebec Journal.

About Signs of the Seasons

Participants in the Signs of the Seasons program help scientists document the local effects of global climate change by observing and recording the phenology (seasonal changes) of common plants and animals living in their own backyards and communities. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Sea Grant coordinate the program in partnership with the USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN), Acadia National Park, Schoodic Education and Research Center, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Maritime Academy, Maine Audubon, and climate scientists and educators at the University of Maine.

Rockweed; photo by Jessica Muhlin

Current participants include Master Gardeners and 4-H Youth groups affiliated with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and certain groups already working in Maine’s coastal environment. If you are involved in any of these programs, please ask your local coordinator for more information. Additional groups, individuals or families may also sign up to participate, and be a part of an early spring 2012 training.

Please contact us if you are interested in getting involved. We would love to hear from you!