Autumn has arrived, and while it’s tempting to settle in with pumpkins, apple cider, and crisp fall walks, your yard and garden still need attention. Utah State University Extension horticulturist JayDee Gunnell offers valuable tips to help homeowners prepare their landscapes for the colder months ahead.

1. Frost Awareness & Season Extension

Knowing the first and last frost dates in your area is key to protecting your plants. If you wish to extend your growing season, consider constructing a low or high tunnel. These structures help protect crops from early frosts, allowing vegetables like tomatoes and peppers to thrive longer. Cover your plants with tarps or blankets to protect them from freezing temperatures.

2. Harvest and Store Winter Squash

For those growing winter squash, now is the time to harvest. Ensure the squash is mature and store it in a cool, dry location (50-55°F). Proper storage ensures a longer shelf life and retains the quality of your harvest.

3. Planting Garlic and Spring Bulbs

October is prime time to plant garlic cloves. You can plant them from mid-October through early November, ensuring a spring harvest. It’s also the last chance to plant spring-blooming bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils, which will provide a splash of color when winter fades.

4. Garden Clean-Up

Once you’ve harvested your crops, it’s essential to remove vegetable plants to minimize overwintering pests. Rototill leaves, compost, or manure into the soil to encourage healthy microbial activity, which will enhance your garden’s fertility for the next growing season.

5. Ornamental Grass and Roses Care

If you live in a snow-prone area, cut back ornamental grasses once the foliage dies down to avoid snow damage. However, in regions where snow is light, you can leave them standing for a beautiful vertical accent through winter. As for roses, prune back long canes to protect them from snow load damage.

6. Pruning, Weeding, and Fertilizing

Autumn is also the time to prune raspberry canes, dig out annual flowers, and control tough perennial weeds like morning glory. Mow your lawn to a height of 1 to 1.5 inches to minimize disease and apply a quick-release nitrogen fertilizer after your last mowing to promote early greening in spring.

7. Pests and Problems

Fall clean-up isn’t just about aesthetics–it’s critical for pest and disease management. Diseased plants should be sent to the landfill, not composted, to avoid spreading pathogens. For stone fruit trees like cherries, peaches, and apricots, treat them for coryneum blight when about 50% of their leaves have fallen.

8. Young Trees and Tender Perennials

Wrap the trunks of young trees with white reflective wraps to prevent winter cracking, and dig up tender perennials like gladiolas and dahlias. Store them in a cool, dry place until spring planting.

9. Winter Plantings

Cold-hardy annuals like pansies, primroses, kale, and ornamental cabbages can be planted in fall to provide some late-season color and continue growing into early winter.

For more detailed tips, including videos and fact sheets, visit the USU Extension’s Gardeners Almanac website. You can also explore online gardening courses that cover topics from container gardening to soil management, geared toward beginners and experts alike.

By following these tips, your yard and garden will be ready for winter, and you’ll set the stage for a beautiful, thriving spring.