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When to Plant Mint in Salt Lake County, UT

Mint is a vigorous perennial herb with refreshing, aromatic leaves used in teas, cocktails, and cooking. It spreads aggressively by underground runners.

Salt Lake County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 4,960 feet, Salt Lake County receives approximately 12.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mint during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Mint successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Salt Lake County, UT (Zone 6b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Salt Lake County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 28

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,968 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Mint needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 2,512 GDD Excellent fit

Mint Planting Timeline โ€” Salt Lake County, UT

Mint Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Sep 23

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

157 days

Growing Tips for Salt Lake County

Always grow mint in containers or with underground barriers to control spreading. Harvest regularly to keep plants compact. Cut plants back in late summer for a fresh fall flush.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Parsley

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mint in Salt Lake County, UT?

Salt Lake County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Mint planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Salt Lake County, UT?

Salt Lake County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Salt Lake County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Salt Lake County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.