Check this out ! You've probably noticed some climatic changes right in your own backyard, or could you be experiencing a 'MicroClimate'?  Could you be in a new Hardiness Zone? What zone are you in? The new 2006 zone map reflects that many areas have become warmer since 1990 when the last USDA hardiness zone map was published. Significant portions of many states have shifted at least one full hardiness zone. Much of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, for example, have shifted from Zone 5 to a warmer Zone 6. Some areas around the country have even warmed two full zones. In response to requests for up-to-date information, the Arbor Day Foundation developed the new zones based on the most recent 15 years' data available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 5,000 National Climatic Data Center cooperative stations across the United States. The new 2006 arborday.org Hardiness Zone Map is consistent with the consensus of climate scientists that global warming is underway. Tree planting is among the positive actions that people can take to reverse the trend. Gardeners across the nation can enter their zip code to determine their hardiness zone Very enlightening.  What is a MICROCLIMATE? Some zip codes are in small areas that are warmer or cooler than the surrounding area.  These areas, called microclimaters, are often associated with urbanization or steep elevation changes, and many are too small to show on the map. Microclimates occur in most large cities due to the urbanization effect that buildings bring about.  In addition, regions of the country with bodies of water or mountains may contain 'pockets'.  These climatic pockets mirror warmer or cooler zones than the surrounding region.