Our data

Eden Well never invents gardening facts. Every value comes from a named source, or from a clearly explained calculation based on one. When reliable data doesn't exist, we say so.

What the labels mean

✓Verified

Taken directly from an authoritative source for this location.

≈Estimate

Calculated from verified data, or from a source that isn't specific to this exact spot.

–Unavailable

We don't have reliable data for this, so we don't show a value.

Data sources

These are the public sources Eden Well is built on. "In use" sources power the My area page today. The others are planned, and each will be connected and tested before any of its data appears in the app.

• U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

  In use

  NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information

  Provides: Typical spring and fall frost dates (32°F) from the nearest weather station with frost records, within 30 miles

  Limitations: Based on individual weather stations, which may be miles away or at a different elevation. These are 1991–2020 averages, so any single year can differ.

• USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), ZIP code listing

  In use

  USDA Agricultural Research Service and the PRISM Group, Oregon State University

  Provides: Plant hardiness zone for a ZIP code, shown exactly as published

  Limitations: One zone per ZIP code, so it can differ for your exact yard. Describes average winter low temperatures only, which matter most for perennials, not vegetable timing.

• ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (2020) and their county and place relationships

  In use

  U.S. Census Bureau

  Provides: The map location, county, state and main town for a ZIP code

  Limitations: Census ZIP areas closely follow, but don't exactly match, postal ZIP codes. PO Box–only and single-organization ZIP codes have no map area.

• HUD-USPS ZIP Code Crosswalk (USPS preferred city)

  In use

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, from U.S. Postal Service data

  Provides: The USPS preferred mailing city for each ZIP code

  Limitations: A mailing city name, not a city boundary: many addresses with a city's mailing name are outside its city limits. Updated quarterly by HUD; our copy is refreshed when the data is rebuilt.

• Fall Vegetable Gardening Guide (EHT-056, 5/14), by Larry Stein and Joe Masabni

  In use

  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

  Provides: Average fall planting dates for five Texas gardening regions, last optimum planting dates, time to harvest and frost tolerance

  Limitations: Texas only, fall gardens only. Dates are regional averages for each of five regions, not for a specific property. Published in 2014.

• National Weather Service API

  Planned

  NOAA National Weather Service

  Provides: Current conditions and the 7-day forecast

  Limitations: United States only. No guaranteed uptime.

• Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), via Soil Data Access

  Planned

  USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

  Provides: Soil type, texture, drainage and typical pH

  Limitations: Mapped at field scale, not yard scale. Home soil is often disturbed by construction, so a real soil test is always recommended.

• Census Geocoder

  Planned

  U.S. Census Bureau

  Provides: Turning a street address into map coordinates

  Limitations: U.S. addresses only. Very new streets may be missing.

• Elevation Point Query Service (3DEP)

  Planned

  U.S. Geological Survey

  Provides: Elevation of a property

  Limitations: United States only.

What we don't use

We don't copy almanac content, including long-range forecasts or moon-phase planting calendars, and we don't use AI to produce facts. Planting guidance will come from university Cooperative Extension research, written in our own words with citations.