The garden zones in North America refer to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones, which are used to identify the geographic areas where specific plants are likely to thrive based on average annual minimum temperatures.

There are 13 plant hardiness zones in North America, ranging from Zone 1 (coldest) to Zone 13 (warmest), with each zone having a temperature range of 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Here is a breakdown of the zones:

Zone 1: Average minimum temperature of -60 to -50 °F (-51.1°C to -45.6°C)
Zone 2: Average minimum temperature of -50 to -40°F (-45.6°C to -40°C)
Zone 3: Average minimum temperature of -40 to -30°F (-40°C to -34.4°C)
Zone 4: Average minimum temperature of -30 to -20°F (-34.4°C to -28.9°C)
Zone 5: Average minimum temperature of -20 to -10°F (-28.9°C to -23.3°C)
Zone 6: Average minimum temperature of -10 to 0°F (-23.3°C to -17.8°C)
Zone 7: Average minimum temperature of 0 to 10°F (-17.8°C to -12.2°C)
Zone 8: Average minimum temperature of 10 to 20°F (-12.2°C to -6.7°C)
Zone 9: Average minimum temperature of 20 to 30°F (-6.7°C to -1.1°C)
Zone 10: Average minimum temperature of 30 to 40°F (-1.1°C to 4.4°C)
Zone 11: Average minimum temperature of 40 to 50°F (above 4.4°C)
Zone 12: Average minimum temperature of 50 to 60°F (above 10°C)
Zone 13: Average minimum temperature of above 60°F (above 15.5°C)

Knowing your garden zone can help you choose plants that are best suited for your climate, which can increase your chances of gardening success.

Please note that these temperature ranges are only averages, and extreme weather events can occur outside of these ranges. Additionally, microclimates can exist within a zone, meaning that a particular location may have slightly different growing conditions than the overall zone.

Zone 1: Is the coldest zone in North America, with the lowest average temperatures ranging from -60°F to -50°F (-51.1°C to -45.6°C). It is a very small zone that covers a few areas in northern Canada, including parts of the Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. It is also found in high-elevation areas of Alaska.

Because of its extreme temperatures, few plants are able to survive in this zone without special protection, such as insulation or greenhouses. Gardening in this zone requires special considerations and adaptations, such as choosing plants that are adapted to the cold and planting them in protected locations.

Zone 2: This climate zone is characterized by an average minimum temperature range of -50 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-45.6 to -40 degrees Celsius) and includes parts of northern Canada, Alaska, and some high-elevation areas in the western United States.

In the contiguous United States, Garden Zone 2 includes parts of Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and upstate New York. It's worth noting that climate conditions can vary greatly within this zone, depending on factors such as elevation, latitude, and proximity to bodies of water, so specific regions within Garden Zone 2 may have their own unique microclimates.

Zone 3: In North America, zone 3 includes parts of the northern United States, such as Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, and parts of Alaska. It also includes some parts of Canada, such as Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and the Yukon Territory.

However, it's important to note that this is just a general guideline, and many factors such as elevation, precipitation, and microclimates can affect the success of gardening in a particular location.

Zone 4: In North America covers a large area that includes parts of the United States and Canada. It is primarily located in the northern and northeastern regions of the United States, including states such as Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, upstate New York, and parts of the Midwest, such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. In Canada, it covers parts of Ontario and Quebec.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which is used by gardeners to determine which plants are most likely to thrive in their region, divides North America into 13 zones based on average minimum winter temperatures. Garden zone 4 is defined as having an average minimum winter temperature range of -30 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-34.4 to -28.9 degrees Celsius).

Zone 5: In North America covers a wide area that includes parts of the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is primarily located in the central and northeastern regions of the United States, including states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and parts of New York.

In Canada, it covers parts of Ontario, Quebec, and the easternmost provinces such as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone Map defines garden zone 5 as having an average minimum winter temperature range of -20 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-28.9 to -23.3 degrees Celsius). In Mexico, some of the cities in Garden Zone 5 include Chihuahua, Ciudad Juarez, and Monterrey.

Zone 6: In Canada, USA, and Mexico includes regions with a minimum winter temperature range between -10 and 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-23.3 to -17.8 degrees Celsius). This zone includes parts of Canada, including the southern parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, as well as parts of the United States, including the northern Great Plains, the Midwest, and parts of the Northeast. Additionally, this zone includes parts of Mexico, including the northernmost parts of the country.

In Canada, some of the cities in Zone 6 include Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg. In the United States, some of the cities in Zone 6 include Denver, Colorado; Omaha, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; and Cleveland, Ohio. In Mexico, some of the cities in Zone 6 include Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, and Monterrey.

Zone 7: In Canada, USA, and Mexico includes regions with a minimum winter temperature range between 0 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-17.8 to -12.2 degrees Celsius). This zone includes parts of Canada, including the southern parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, as well as the northern parts of the United States, including the Pacific Northwest, parts of the Midwest, and some areas along the East Coast. Additionally, this zone includes parts of Mexico, including the northernmost parts of the country.

In Canada, some of the cities in Zone 7 include Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg. In the United States, some of the cities in Zone 7 include Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, Chicago, Boston, and New York City. In Mexico, some of the cities in Zone 7 include Chihuahua, Ciudad Juarez, and Monterrey.

Zone 8: in Canada, USA, and Mexico includes regions with a minimum winter temperature range between 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-12.2 to -6.7 degrees Celsius). This zone includes parts of Canada, including the southern parts of British Columbia and Ontario, as well as much of the southern United States, including the southern coastal areas and some inland areas of the West Coast, the southern parts of the Midwest, and much of the southern Atlantic coast. Additionally, this zone includes parts of Mexico, including the Baja California Peninsula, and the central and southern regions of Mexico.

In Canada, some of the cities in Zone 8 include Vancouver, Victoria, and Abbotsford in British Columbia, and Windsor and Toronto in Ontario. In the United States, some of the cities in Zone 8 include Houston and Dallas in Texas, New Orleans in Louisiana, Orlando in Florida, and San Francisco in California. In Mexico, some of the cities in Zone 8 include Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas on the Baja California Peninsula, and Guadalajara and Mexico City in central and southern Mexico.

Zone 9: in Canada, USA, and Mexico includes regions with a minimum winter temperature range between 20 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.7 to -1.1 degrees Celsius). This zone includes parts of Canada, including the southern parts of British Columbia and Ontario, as well as the southernmost parts of the United States, including much of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Florida. Additionally, this zone includes parts of Mexico, including the Baja California Peninsula, the Gulf of California coast, and the southern coastal areas.

In Canada, some of the cities in Garden Zone 9 include Vancouver, Victoria, and Abbotsford in British Columbia, and Windsor and Toronto in Ontario. In the United States, some of the cities in Zone 9 include San Diego and Los Angeles in California, Tucson in Arizona, San Antonio in Texas, and Miami in Florida. In Mexico, some of the cities in Zone 9 include Tijuana and Ensenada on the Baja California Peninsula, La Paz and Mazatlán on the Gulf of California coast, and Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific coast.

Zone 10: in Canada, USA, and Mexico includes regions with a minimum winter temperature range between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.1 to 4.4 degrees Celsius). This zone includes parts of Canada, including the southern parts of British Columbia and Ontario, as well as the southernmost parts of the United States, including much of California, Arizona, and Texas, and parts of Florida. Additionally, this zone includes parts of Mexico, including the coastal areas of Baja California, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Jalisco.

In Canada, some of the cities in Zone 10 include Vancouver, Victoria, and Abbotsford in British Columbia, and Windsor and Toronto in Ontario. In the United States, some of the cities in Garden Zone 10 include San Diego and Los Angeles in California, Phoenix and Tucson in Arizona, and San Antonio and Houston in Texas. In Mexico, some of the cities in Zone 10 include Tijuana and Ensenada on the Baja California Peninsula, Hermosillo in Sonora, and Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán on the Pacific coast.

Zone 11 and 12: There is no Garden Zone 11 or 12 in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which is the standard for zones in Mainland North America.

Zone 13: is not applicable for any region in Canada or the USA territories based on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which is the standard for garden zones in North America. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map only goes up to Zone 13, which is found in the Hawaiian Islands. Therefore, Zone 13 is not applicable for any region in Canada, USA, or its territories based on this system.

However, in Mexico, some regions in the southernmost part of the country can be classified as Zone 13 according to other classification systems. For example, parts of the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, which are located in southern Mexico, have average minimum temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 21.1 degrees Celsius), which falls within the range for Zone 13.