Starting your garden clean up for fall is the perfect September task, but it’s also still a time to enjoy the last warm days of our Utah summer in the garden. In this guide, we'll get you geared up to tackle some essential tasks for the fall garden as we say farewell to summer, and say hello to sweater season.
Garden Cleanup Checklist for Fall
Whether you’re still savoring iced tea or jumping headfirst into pumpkin-spiced lattes, the weather is perfect for some chores to keep things fresh and vibrant for a few more weeks to come. Here is what we’re doing in Salt Lake City this month in the garden!
Cleaning up Annuals & Perennials
One of the first tasks on your fall garden cleanup checklist should be checking in with your plants in the garden. Around this time of the year, many plants will be showing signs of decline as the temperatures drop and the days get shorter. Here's what you should do:
Remove Spent Annuals:
Gently pull out any annuals that have stopped blooming or are clearly past their prime. This not only tidies up your garden but also prevents disease and pests from overwintering in the decaying plant material.
Collect Seeds:
If you have some favorite perennial beauties that you'd love to grow more of next year, consider collecting seeds from their dried seed heads and storing them in a cool, dry place until spring when you can plant them out.
Add Compost:
After removing your spent plants, replenish the soil in garden beds or containers with compost to enrich it with nutrients for next year. This will help improve the soil’s structure and add fertility for a vibrant bloom!
Container Plants That are Done Flowering
Most containers and gardens will still look good through September and into October, but this transitional period is the perfect time to freshen things up with some new and fun autumn color. Here’s what to do to keep them looking their best:
Assess the Condition:
Examine your container plants carefully. If they have finished flowering or are showing signs of stress, it's time to shake things up and do a refresh.
Trim and Prune:
Trim back any dead or leggy growth to encourage healthier new growth in the coming season, and remove spent flowers and leaves to prevent disease.
Overwintering Options:
If you’ve got tender plants that aren’t likely to survive the Utah winter, try overwintering them indoors. Some container plants, like tropicals or herbs, can thrive indoors during the winter, and tender plants like dahlias can be dug up and their tubers stored (in a dry, cool place) until the spring.
Mulching:
For larger outdoor containers that can't be moved indoors, consider adding a layer of mulch to help insulate the root system and protect it from freezing temperatures. Grouping containers together and wrapping them with burlap or frost cloth can also provide extra protection from the cold.
Planting!
Fall flowers can add a burst of vibrant excitement to your garden, pairing beautifully with the autumn foliage around us. They also offer some end-of-season nutrition for pollinators. Here are some popular fall flowers to consider planting in Salt Lake City:
Fall Mums (Chrysanthemums): Fall mums are iconic autumn blooms, and are available at Millcreek Gardens in a variety of colors—including deep reds, vibrant oranges, and rich yellows. Plant them in containers for maximum color impact around your outdoor spaces.
Pansies: Pansies are cool-season annuals that thrive in the mild temperatures of early fall. They come in a wide range of shades, from pastels to bold hues, making them an ideal choice for adding color to your garden beds or containers.
Ornamental Peppers: Ornamental peppers are not only visually striking with their small, colorful fruit, but they also bring a touch of heat to your garden. These compact plants can be grown in containers, or in the ground and are a unique addition to fall arrangements.
Kale & Cabbage (Ornamental Varieties): Ornamental kale and cabbage, with its textured and ruffled leaves in shades of green, purple, and white, is an unexpected but attractive choice for fall gardens. It adds both texture and color to your landscape, making it a versatile option.
Moving Herb Gardens Indoors
Herb gardens can be a source of fresh flavors all year-round, even in Salt Lake City's winter! To transition your herbs indoors successfully:
Select Healthy Plants:
Choose the healthiest herbs from your garden for indoor relocation, and double-check every plant coming inside for signs of pests or diseases.
Repot if Necessary:
If your herbs have outgrown their current pots, consider dividing and repotting them into larger containers with fresh potting soil.
Provide Adequate Light:
Herbs need plenty of sunlight to thrive indoors. Place them in a sunny windowsill, or use grow lights to supplement natural light over the winter.
Monitor Watering:
Indoor herbs may require less water than their outdoor counterparts. Water sparingly and allow the soil to dry slightly between watering.
Preparing Plants for Overwintering
While it might still be warm for another few weeks yet, preparation is key to a healthy garden! Certain perennial plants, shrubs, and trees need special attention to withstand the harsh Utah winter, so here are some tips for planning ahead:
Pruning:
Trim any dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs to prevent them from breaking under the weight of snow or ice.
Mulching:
Apply a layer of mulch around the base of perennials and younger shrubs to insulate their root systems from freezing temperatures.
Protect Young Trees:
Wrap young trees in burlap or tree wrap to shield them from harsh winter winds and reduce the risk of sunscald.
Watering:
Continue to water your plants until the ground freezes, as hydrated plants are more resilient in the winter, but remember to avoid overwatering, as waterlogged soil can cause root rot.
Millcreek Gardens is ready for fall garden cleanup in Salt Lake City, so stop by today for fall flowering plants, gardening supplies, and friendly advice you can count on!