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!

If you’re like us, you’ve enjoyed the frenzy of Spring and Summer in the garden, but looking ahead to Fall planting in Utah is exciting, too! It’s also a rewarding endeavor that allows the seasonal creation of some pretty vibrant landscapes that will thrive well into next year. In this comprehensive Fall Planting Guide, we’ll show you the best tips and practices for Fall planting in Salt Lake City to make your garden the envy of the neighborhood!

Why Fall is a Good Time to Plant in Utah

Fall is a perfect time for planting in Salt Lake City, thanks to our moderate temperatures and increased moisture levels, and the fact that the soil is retaining warmth from the Summer heat. This combination gives us an ideal environment for root establishment before the onset of Winter, and the cooler air temperatures also reduce stress on plants and allow them to focus their energy on root growth rather than battling the heat. This season is also a comfortable time for people to be outside planting! With the proper planning and execution, Fall planting can set the stage for a flourishing garden come next Spring.

Our Guide to Fall Planting 

Choosing the Right Plants
Selecting the best candidates to plant in your Fall garden is crucial for success. Consider the unique climate and conditions of Salt Lake City when making your choices and go for plants well-suited for planting in the local area. Some of our favorites include:

Hardy Perennials: Choose perennials like coneflowers, daisies, chrysanthemums, and asters. These hardy plants will establish their root systems in the Fall and reward you with beautiful blooms year after year.

Ornamental Grasses: Grasses such as feather reed grass, switchgrass, and maiden grass add texture and movement to your garden, even as other plants start to go dormant.

Cold-Tolerant Vegetables: Extend your harvest season by planting cold-tolerant vegetables like kale, spinach, lettuce, and radishes. These crops can take the cooler temperatures and continue to produce fresh, nutritious produce and are the best Fall crops to plant in August.

Millcreek Gardens-Salt Lake City-Utah-Fall is for planting-spring blooming bulbs

Spring-Blooming Bulbs: Plant bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses in the Fall for a burst of color in your garden next Spring. The cooler temperatures allow the bulbs to establish strong root systems before Winter.

Shrubs and Trees: Fall is a great time to plant shrubs and trees, allowing them to establish roots before facing the challenges of Summer. Consider options like dogwood, viburnum, and serviceberry.

Fall Planting Guide: Step-by-Step
Now that you know what to plant, here is your 10-step guide to get growing!

1. Assess Your Garden 

Take a thorough look at your garden and identify areas that need a refresh or new plantings. Think about the amount of sunlight, soil quality, and drainage in each area.

2.  Prepare the Soil

Clear out any debris and weeds from the planting area. Amend the soil with a good compost, or some type of organic matter, to improve its structure and fertility. We love amending our soils with Gardener & Bloome planting mix.

3. Select Your Plants

Research and select the plants mentioned above that are well-suited for Fall planting in Salt Lake City. Consider factors such as bloom time, height, and color to create a visually-appealing arrangement.

Millcreek Gardens-Salt Lake City-Utah-Fall is for planting-heuchera plant

4. Planting Technique

Dig holes for your plants, ensuring they are deep and wide enough for the roots. Gently take the plants from their containers and place them in the holes, backfilling with your soil compost mix. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.

5. Mulch

Apply a layer of mulch around your newly planted plants. Mulch helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and prevent weed growth.

6. Watering

It's important to continue watering your newly planted vegetation. Water deeply and less frequently to help encourage root growth.

7. Fertilizing

For favorable results, apply a plant starter fertilizer to provide essential nutrients for your plants as they establish themselves. Our favorite is Dr. Earth Starter Fertilizer.

Millcreek Gardens-Salt Lake City-Utah-Fall is for planting-frost cover

8. Protection from Frost

Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to protect your plants from early frosts. Covering them with frost cloth or blankets overnight can help prevent damage.

9. Regular Maintenance

As your Fall-planted garden grows, look out for any signs of pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies. Address any issues right away to ensure the health of your plants.

10. Plan for Spring

While Fall planting is focused on establishing root systems, it's important to envision how your garden will look in the Spring. Choose complementary plants that will create a cohesive and harmonious display.

Millcreek Gardens-Salt Lake City-Utah-Fall is for planting-ornamental kale and mums

Fall planting in Salt Lake City presents an incredible opportunity to create a stunning and resilient garden that will thrive through the Winter and burst with life come Spring. By following our annual Fall planting guide for Utah you'll be equipped with the knowledge and steps needed to transform your outdoor space into a vibrant oasis of color and foliage. If you get stuck along the way, of course, you know where to find your local plant experts—right here at Millcreek Gardens!