Springtime brings a burst of life and color to our Salt Lake City gardens, offering a prime opportunity to cultivate a flourishing oasis right in our backyards. In this spring planting guide, we’ll discuss some of our top plant picks for your landscape while also helping you navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of gardening in Salt Lake City! 

Understanding Salt Lake City’s Climate

Before digging into some planting specifics, it’s crucial to understand our local climate. Located in a semi-arid region, Salt Lake City experiences hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. The USDA Hardiness Zone for Salt Lake City ranges from 5b to 7a, indicating a diverse climate with varying temperatures and growing conditions. Spring is characterized by cool mornings and warm, mild afternoons, making it an ideal time for planting a wide variety of vegetables and flowers.

Best Vegetables for Salt Lake City Gardens

No Salt Lake City landscape is complete without a vibrant vegetable garden, so here are a few of our personal favorites to plant in your veggie patch this spring:

Tomatoes: Tomatoes thrive in garden beds with plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil, and varieties like Early Girl and Celebrity thrive in Salt Lake City’s climate. Start your seeds indoors in early spring and transplant them outdoors after the danger of frost has passed—sometime between May 11-20th. Plant seedlings a few inches deep for stronger plants. 

Peppers: Bell peppers, jalapenos, and Anaheim peppers do well in our warm summers and can be grown in both garden beds and containers as long as they receive full sun and consistent moisture! Start pepper seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. 

Lettuce: Varieties like Romaine, Butterhead, and Red Leaf lettuce can be planted in early spring as soon as the soil is workable and are perfect for both garden beds and containers, especially in areas with partial shade to protect them from the midday sun. Succession planting also works great with lettuce crops, ensuring a continuous harvest all season long as the early crop tends to bolt and flower in the hot weather, giving the leaves a bitter taste. 

Carrots: Carrots are typically grown in garden beds with loose, sandy soil, but can also thrive in deep containers. Sow your carrot seeds directly into well-draining soil in early spring for a bountiful summer harvest, and keep the soil consistently moist for the best and tastiest results. 

Zucchini: This prolific summer squash thrives in Salt Lake City’s warm temperatures and requires ample space to sprawl, making it ideal for garden beds with plenty of room to spread out. You can plant your seeds directly in your garden after the danger of frost has passed, usually around Mother’s Day. Zucchini can also be staked and grown vertically to save space and reduce chances of squash bore. 

Best Flowers for Salt Lake City Gardens

Nothing fills your outdoor space with springtime cheer quite like the vibrant blooms of your favorite flowers. Here are a few of ours:

Lilacs: These fragrant flowering shrubs are versatile in our climate, but for best results, plant them in well-draining soil and full sun. Lilacs can be planted in garden beds as focal points or choose a dwarf variety to grow in a large container to add vertical interest to patios and decks.

Tulips: These early spring bloomers add a splash of color to any garden; simply plant their bulbs in the fall for a stunning display the following spring. Tulips are best planted in garden beds in clusters or rows for maximum impact, but can be placed in rows or dotted throughout your landscape.

Daffodils: These cheerful flowers are deer and squirrel-resistant and easy to grow in garden beds, along borders or pathways, or in grassy areas for a more relaxed, natural look. Plant bulbs in the fall and enjoy their vibrant blooms in early spring. 

Pansies: These cold-hardy annuals are perfect for adding cheerful hues to early spring gardens, and we love to plant them in containers or borders for a pop of color. However, pansies are versatile plants that can be grown in garden beds, hanging baskets, or decorative containers to brighten up any outdoor space—even small balconies!

Best Native Plants for Utah

Not only are Utah’s many native plants absolutely stunning, but they also play a vital role in maintaining our local biodiversity. Here are some of our top native plant picks to try in your garden this spring:

Utah Agave: With its striking rosette of spiky leaves, this native succulent is drought and cold-tolerant and visually appealing.

Utah Juniper: The Utah juniper is a hardy evergreen tree that is perfect for adding texture and year-round greenery to the landscape.

Rocky Mountain Penstemon: Known for its vibrant blue-purple flowers, this native perennial attracts pollinators  and thrives in Salt Lake City’s climate.

Utah Serviceberry: Producing clusters of white flowers in spring and edible berries in summer, this native shrub brings both beauty and utility to your Salt Lake City garden.

Columbines: These native perennials are well-adapted to Salt Lake City; plant them in partial shade and enjoy their unique, spurred flowers. Columbines are ideal for planting in garden beds along shady borders or in woodland gardens, where they can naturalize and spread over time.

Tips for Successful Spring Planting in Salt Lake City

Getting ready for the growing season can often be an overwhelming task. To help you out, here’s a handy spring garden preparation checklist: 

1. Soil Preparation: Before planting, amend your soil with organic matter such as compost to improve drainage and fertility. Some we like include: G & B Acid Planting Mix and Dr. Earth Vegetable Garden Mix. 
2. Watering: Be mindful of Utah’s water-wise gardening practices and water deeply but infrequently to promote deep root growth.
3. Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
4. Frost Protection: Keep an eye on the weather forecast and protect your tender plants from late spring frosts with row covers or cloches.
5. Companion Planting: Take advantage of companion planting principles to maximize garden space and deter pests naturally—for example, marigolds help repel pests in your veggie garden!

With proper planning and care, spring planting in Salt Lake City can yield a bounty of vegetables and flowers that both delight the senses and nourish the soul. By selecting the right plants, following best practices, and staying attuned to our region’s unique needs, you can create a vibrant and thriving garden that brings joy and beauty year after year. So, roll up your sleeves, dig into the dirt, and let the magic of spring gardening begin!