HELP ! What is my weather zone ?

As one can see from my "identity" I live in the north of Italy and as most "Gardening calendars/Diaries" need to establish one's weather zone (like USA) which should include "First frost and last frost" -

I am at a loss to know what is mine for the following reasons .....

It seems that the lowest temp in our town/area - that my older inhabitants advise me is around -12°C .... but to be really safe lets say -15°C and the first frost, I am told, is around the beginning of November so lets say End October and the last frost they say is mid/end march so lets say 10th April.

Having established all that I must add that this year and they tell me most years the ground remains frozen solid - so a fork/spade will not penetrate - from the first frost or soon after until at least end February!!!! (some tell me this year will be until end March .... but I think that is story spinning ! )

So my query is what zone should I use as a rule of thumb for planting seeds/plants ??? .... and from thereon how should I relate for the general calendar of events for the veg cycle in the plot.

All advice and comments most welcome !

Cheers !

 

Here is a European zone map
http://www.uk.gardenweb.com/forums/zones/hze.html

 

I've hitherto been too lazy to personally look into this, so thank you :D

 

Hi Varallo, It looks like your winter temperatures are no so different from many parts of the UK. But I will bet you get more sun in the summer and probably in winter too!

 

PeterS,
You are quite correct - we do get a chunk of sun - it's just that the ground remains solid from Nov thu March and that is frustrating.
Cheers

 

Having been kindly directed by whis4ey to a site that shows the Italian (and European weather zones) I reckon I am somewhere around zone 7 but close to zone 6 hence my rock hard frozen ground Brrrrrrr
Cheers -