USDA Hardiness Zone 3B Growing Guide
Source: USDA Agricultural Research Service Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023
Upper Midwest and northern New England — cold-hardy fruit trees and root vegetables.
Where Zone 3B sits on the national map
Zone 3B highlighted in dark green; neighboring zones in their reference colors. Tap a neighboring zone to compare.
Source: USDA ARS Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 · PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University · 1991-2020 normals
Zone Position
Key Facts — Zone 3B
- Avg. coldest night: -35°F to -30°F (-37.2°C to -34.4°C) — the band of average annual extreme minimum temperatures that defines this zone (USDA ARS PHZM 2023)
- What that means: in an average year your coldest night lands somewhere in that 5°F window. Actual lows can drop colder in extreme winters; daytime highs are not bounded by this number.
- Found In: 13 US states, including New York, Colorado, Alaska and 10 more
- Growing Considerations: Upper Midwest and northern New England — cold-hardy fruit trees and root vegetables.
What Is Zone 3B?
USDA Hardiness Zone 3B is defined by an average annual extreme minimum temperature between -35°F and -30°F (-37.2°C to -34.4°C), according to the USDA ARS Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023.
Coldest avg. low
-35°F
USDA PHZM 2023
Warmest avg. low
-30°F
USDA PHZM 2023
Coldest avg. low (°C)
-37.2°C
USDA PHZM 2023
States
13
Where Is Zone 3B Found?
Zone 3B appears across 13 states:
Plants That Thrive in Zone 3B
Plants well-adapted to the temperature range of this zone.
Apple
Garlic
Sugar Maple
Blueberry
Your Zone Is Just One Factor
Hardiness zone tells you about winter cold tolerance — but it doesn't tell you about soil drainage, summer heat, frost dates, flood risk, or contamination proximity. Two Zone 3B parcels can have very different growing outcomes. Your Growable Ground report scores 1,112 plants against all these factors for your specific address.
Your zone is a starting point — your parcel is the whole story
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Frequently Asked Questions
What plants grow in Zone 3B?
Upper Midwest and northern New England — cold-hardy fruit trees and root vegetables. Common plants that thrive include Apple, Garlic, Sugar Maple, Blueberry. Actual suitability depends on your parcel's soil, drainage, and microclimate.
What states have Zone 3B?
Zone 3B appears across 13 US states: New York, Colorado, Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
What temperature is USDA Zone 3B?
USDA Hardiness Zone 3B is defined by an average annual extreme minimum temperature between -35°F and -30°F (-37.2°C to -34.4°C), per the USDA ARS Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023.