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

Planting zone for 84512 — Bluff, UT

ZIP code 84512 (Bluff, San Juan County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 84512 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 24

First frostOct 13

2012 zone7a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bluff, 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 Bluff, UT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Bluff, UT — 8 miles away, elevation 4,318 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 84512

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 84512 came on Mar 2 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13).

average
Mar 132026
Mar 2

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 7a in Utah

561 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Utah, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Bluff, UT.

Soil in Bluff, UT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 84512 is Sheppard — fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sheppard fine sand, hummocky.

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 84512; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bluff, UT

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days90days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights140nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,873base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 43 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 36 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation7.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall7 inper year; 7 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bluff, UT (8 mi away); precipitation: Bluff, UT (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

845317b

Mexican Hat, UT · 17 mi

845347a

Montezuma Creek, UT · 17 mi

865147a

Teec Nos Pos, AZ · 23 mi

845117a

Blanding, UT · 26 mi

865357a

Dennehotso, AZ · 29 mi

865457a

Rock Point, AZ · 31 mi

845368a

Monument Valley, UT · 36 mi

865477a

Round Rock, AZ · 43 mi

Utah planting zones →

Questions about 84512

What planting zone is ZIP code 84512?

ZIP code 84512 (Bluff, UT) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Bluff, UT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 84512 is April 24; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bluff station.

When is the first frost in Bluff, UT?

The median first fall frost near 84512 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 84512?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 84512 get?

About 7.3 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bluff station).

How hot do summers get in Bluff, UT?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 90 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 84512 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sheppard at the center of ZIP 84512: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Bluff, UT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 84512 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bluff, UT?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 84512 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.