Frost dates for 84124Salt Lake City, UT
The average last spring frost in Salt Lake City is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 25 · May 13 · Jun 9 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 27 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 29 · May 30 | Oct 6 · Oct 22 · Nov 7 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 12 · May 13 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 18 | 201 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Salt Lake City
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 84124 is matched to the NOAA station Cottonwood Weir, UT, 7 km away, at 4,986 ft elevation (321 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Weir, UT (used) | 4,986 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 22 |
| Salt Lake City E Bench, UT | 4,850 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
| Mtn Dell Dam, UT | 5,420 ft | May 7 | Oct 14 |
| Salt Lake Triad Ctr, UT | 4,280 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Salt Lake City
- Salt Lake City, UT 84109 · last Apr 29, first Oct 22
- Sandy, UT 84090 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
- Midvale, UT 84047 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- West Jordan, UT 84084 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- West Valley City, UT 84119 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
- South Jordan, UT 84009 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- Draper, UT 84020 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- North Salt Lake, UT 84054 · last Apr 8, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Salt Lake City, UT?
- For ZIP code 84124, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cottonwood Weir, UT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 30.
- When is the first frost in Salt Lake City, UT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 84124?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.