When to Plant in Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City sits in the Wasatch Front at 4,226 feet elevation — Zone 7a with a typical last frost around April 27. The Great Salt Lake has some moderating influence, but the high-desert climate means dry air, intense sun, and cold winter nights.

SLC gardeners work with a roughly 165-day growing season. The semi-arid climate means irrigation is essential — the city gets only 16 inches of rain per year. Alkaline soils benefit from organic matter amendments.

What to plant now in Salt Lake City

Spring: After April 27 last frost — tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, and cucumbers.
Early Spring (Mar–Apr): Peas, spinach, lettuce, and kale as soil warms.
Fall: Broccoli, kale, lettuce, carrots, and spinach for October harvest.
Winter: Garlic planted in fall overwinters. Planning and seed starting.

In Salt Lake City (174 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

Month by month in Salt Lake City

Month	What to do
January	Order seeds. Plan garden layout. Research water-wise varieties.
February	Start onion seeds indoors.
March	Start tomato and pepper seeds indoors. Direct sow peas and spinach.
April	After April 27 — transplant warm-season crops. Set up drip irrigation.
May	Full spring garden. Water consistently — dry air desiccates soil quickly.
June	Summer garden growing. Deep water twice weekly.
July	Harvest summer crops. Start fall seedlings.
August	Plant fall broccoli, kale, and lettuce.
September	Fall planting continues. First cool nights.
October	First frost mid-October. Plant garlic.
November	Garden winds down.
December	Rest season. Plan next year.

Frost dates for Salt Lake City ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
84118	April 22	October 25	7b
84121	June 13	September 15	6a
84116	April 22	October 25	7b
84109	May 21	September 29	6b
84105	April 27	October 18	7b

FAQ

When is the last frost date in Salt Lake City, UT?

Salt Lake City's average last frost date is around April 27. The elevation (4,226 feet) keeps temperatures cooler than lower-altitude communities.

How much do I need to water in Salt Lake City?

Significantly — SLC gets only 16 inches of rain per year, mostly in winter and spring. Deep watering 2–3 times per week, or a drip system, is essential for summer gardening.

What about the alkaline soil in Salt Lake City?

SLC's soils are often alkaline (high pH). Add sulfur and organic matter to improve pH and structure. Raised beds with amended soil solve many SLC soil problems.

How does Plan My Garden help Salt Lake City gardeners?

Enter your SLC zip code for planting dates calibrated to the Wasatch Front's elevation, frost dates, and arid climate.