First-time homebuyers may not be familiar with the best ways to choose plants that will thrive for their new home, but a good starting point is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Plant Hardiness Map.

The USDA’s 13 Plant Hardiness Zones are defined by the by the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, with each zone covering a 10 °F range. To capture finer microclimates, every zone is further divided into “a” (colder 5 °F half) and “b” (warmer 5 °F half) subzones. For timing your plantings, also note your zone’s average first and last frost dates.

Hardiness zones exist to guide you toward plants that can survive your area’s coldest winters. For customized tips—such as which plants thrive together in sun, shade or drought; which species draw birds or repel insects; the best window for setting transplants; and when to bring vulnerable plants indoors—ask your local nursery or a landscape architect.