The mid-Atlantic region is a narrow swath spanning the area between Toronto and Ottawa down to New York City and Washington, D.C. In the U.S., it includes most of New York State (except parts of the Northeast), Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, eastern parts of Ohio and the northernmost parts of Virginia and West Virginia. It spans USDA zones 3 to 7 and AHS heat zones 3 to 6.
The mid-Atlantic isn't as cold during the winter as New England and is hotter in summer. Along the coast, the humidity can climb very high, making the height of summer extremely uncomfortable. As you move westward, the humidity drops to a more comfortable level. One thing you can count on in this region is water, and lots of it. (Sometimes a little too much, as recent floods have demonstrated.) Thunderstorms in the summer and lake effect snow or Nor'Easters in winter drop plenty of precipitation in this area.
The length of the growing season varies; in lower zone areas like Albany, it's roughly May to September but in Baltimore and other warmer areas it might last from April into November.
