Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City, UT is in USDA zones 6a to 7b across its 47 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 18.

Salt Lake City on the zone map

Outlined: its 22 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zones6a–7b−10 to 10 °F

ZIP codes47

Last frostApr 25

First frostOct 18

Growing season175 days

6a 1 ZIP 6b 3 ZIPs 7a 4 ZIPs 7b 39 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Salt Lake City, UT…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Salt Lake City, UT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 10only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season175 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Salt Lake City E Bench, UT, elevation 4,849 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Salt Lake City

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23

BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 18) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 84115 came on Mar 1 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

average
Mar 212026
Mar 1

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6a in Utah

546 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Utah, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Salt Lake City, UT.

Soil in Salt Lake City, UT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 84115 is Chipman — silty clay loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigated and drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Chipman silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 84115; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Salt Lake City, UT

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days45days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights81nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,943base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation21.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Salt Lake Triad Center, UT (4 mi away); precipitation: Salt Lake City 1.8 Se, UT (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Planting zone for Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City on the zone map

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

Frost dates in Salt Lake City, UT

When to plant vegetables in Salt Lake City

When spring arrived in 2026

Native plants for zone 6a in Utah

Trees 30

Shrubs 107

Wildflowers & perennials 248

Grasses 151

Vines 3

Soil in Salt Lake City, UT

Climate in Salt Lake City, UT

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

ZIP codes in Salt Lake City

Questions about Salt Lake City