A hardinesszone is a geographic area defined as having a certain average annual minimum temperature, a factor relevant to the survival of many plants. HardinessZoneConverter. To figure out what corresponds to the USDA equivalent zone, simply take the average lowest temperature of the region and add ten degrees for each higher zone. To view/print national, regional, or state Plant HardinessZone Maps, visit Map Downloads. To learn about updates to this map from its previous (2012) edition, visit Map Creation. What does zonehardiness mean? A hardinesszone is a geographic area defined to encompass a certain range of climatic conditions relevant to plant growth and survival. Usda Plant HardinessZones Map. HardyZone Map.There are numerous websites dedicated to indicating hardinesszones outside U.S. borders. This article provides more info. Based on the USDA HardinessZone Map, this interactive version covers the country of Russia which ranges from Zone 2a to Zone 9b. Louisiana is in USDA hardinesszones 8 and 9. These hardinesszones indicate the average minimum temperature that occurs during the winter in different geographical regions. HardinessZoneConverter: Information On HardinessZones Outside U.S. Image by Henry M. Cathey while Director, U.S. Dept of. While the hardinesszone dictates what plants can survive the winter, the growing season is governed by the average spring and fall frost dates.