Major Cities: Baltimore MD, Buffalo NY, Erie PA, Harrisburg PA,
Newark NJ, New York NY, Philadelphia PA, Pittsburgh PA, Rochester NY, Toronto
ONT, Trenton NJ, Washington DC, Wilmington DE
The Region.
Starting in New York city, the Mid-Atlantic region follows the Atlantic coast
south to Washington DC. Turning west following the West Virginia-Pennsylvania
border to Ohio, including sections of eastern Ohio going north across Lake Erie
to Toronto, Canada, up to Toronto and then south through New York state.
The Climate.
The Mid-Atlantic region has weather influences dictated by the Atlantic Ocean,
Great Lakes and Midwest. The Atlantic Ocean moderates temperatures along the
zone 7 coast and the temperatures rarely get below 0F. Colder zone 5 winters
affect portions of Ohio, New York State and Pennsylvania, often with reliable
snow cover. The Great Lakes serve to moderate temperatures somewhat in northern
New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, but they add lake effect snow, too -- think
Buffalo, NY! Summer tends to be hot and humid, especially along the coast with
temperatures consistently above 85F and 65% humidity. Where the climate and
precipitation are influenced by the mountains, from the Blue Ridge in West
Virginia to the Poconos and Catskills to the north, summer temperatures are
more moderate. Moving west away from the coast, the average temperatures for
Erie, PA and Youngstown, OH and Buffalo, NY, for example, hover near 80F in
July and August with a lower, more comfortable, relative humidity. Spring and
fall feature mild, pleasant weather great for planting and harvesting
punctuated by the occasional late winter snow storms in April or early frost in
September. Just about the only constant across the region is generous
precipitation, usually between about 35 and 40 inches evenly distributed
throughout the year. This generous pattern is the result of not only Gulf of
Mexico moisture tracking up the Appalachians, but also storms (including
hurricanes) tracking northward up the coast and, occasionally, storms blowing
in westward from the Atlantic across the Outer Banks. In winter, we are
affected by the frigid Alberta Clippers and the big Nor'easters that bring wind
and snow.
The Growing Season.
Across the Mid Atlantic region, our average growing seasons range from the
"blink and you'll miss it" 144 days (May to September) in Albany, NY to an eye
popping 231 days (April to November) in Baltimore, MD. This makes for a spurt
of gardening activity in spring to "get it all in" before the window of
opportunity shuts. This is particularly a concern in mountainous areas and far
northern areas where cold and shorter days often lead to shorter growing
seasons. Trees, shrubs, and perennials grow well in this climate, especially in
warmer areas that experience less severe weather extremes. All the traditional
annual flower and vegetables can be grown here, with the only exceptions being
season extending techniques that may be needed in northern areas for warm
season crops such as melons and sweet potatoes. Drought and flooding can
sometime be a concern with one following the other in some years.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 7
Published by the National Gardening Association