Welcome

We've moved!

Please note our new address, phone and fax.

Steven R. Bassett, Inc.
2733 Gust Road
Verona, WI 53593

phone: 608-848-6152
fax: 608-848-3388

Updated 2012!!
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

The new map — jointly developed by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Oregon State University's (OSU) PRISM Climate Group — is available online at www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Madison, Wisconsin, Dane County and surrounding counties are now classified as Zone Hardiness 5a, one half-step warmer — approximately 5 degrees — than indicated in the 1990 map. The Plant hardiness Zone Map is based on the average annual MINIMUM winter temperature, in 10° F increments.

Does this mean you should pull all your plants out and start over? Absolutely not! Most likely, plants thriving will continue to grow, but you may have some new options to consider! Keep in mind your localized microclimates around your yard as they can alter the hardiness factor of plants — a low valley where cool air collects, or a sunny and windy exposed area.

When selecting new plants, consider other factors such as proper light exposure, moisture holding capacity of the soil, wind, or winter-time issues such as deicers or reflected sunshine.

And most of all, have fun adding new plants to your landscape!

The Early Bird...

The unseasonably warm winter has many gardeners worried about plants that are breaking dormancy early. What happens if the weather turns colder again? Will the plants die? What happens to those early flowering forsythia, witch hazel or lilac blooms? Most likely, we will have a typical late-season frost event. In this case, yes, any flowers or buds that are swelling are likely to suffer, if not decline, making for a dull and uneventful May-June bloom time. There is no real answer, it really depends on what Mother Nature throws at us in the next month or two. In the greater Madison area of Dane County, average dates of Spring Killing Frosts are from April 26-May 2, so curb your urge to plant early based on the warm weather. Generally we recommend waiting until around Mother's Day for perennial and tender shrub install.