Ask an Expert - Time for Yard and Garden End-of-Season Tasks

Autumn is officially here, and there is much to look forward to – pumpkins on the porch, apple cider, cooler temperatures and walks through crunchy leaves. But before you get too comfortable, don’t forget the yard and garden end-of-season tasks. Consider these October gardening tips from the Utah State University Extension Gardeners Almanac to help. Included are links to fact sheets and videos for further information.

• Consider adding a smaller structure such as a low tunnel or a larger high tunnel to extend your growing season.
• Learn how and when to harvest winter squash. Store winter squash in a cool, 50-55 F, dry location.
• Plant garlic cloves from mid-October through early November.
• Look through a list of fall cleanup chores and good landscape practices.
• Remove vegetable plants from the garden once the harvest is complete. This will help reduce overwintering sites for insect pests.
• Protect tomatoes from early frost by covering the plants with a blanket or tarp.
• Overwinter carrots, beets and parsnips in the ground by placing mulch over them. This prevents the ground from freezing.
• Rototill leaves, compost and/or manure into the vegetable garden to enhance the soil microbe activity.
• Limit rose pruning to heading back excessively long canes. This will help prevent damage from heavy snow loads.
• Cut back ornamental grasses in snow-prone areas once the foliage has died down; otherwise, leave them until spring and enjoy the vertical accent during winter.
• Plant spring-blooming bulbs through early November.
• Consider planting trees and shrubs in the fall to enhance root establishment.
• Dig tender perennials such as gladiolas, dahlias, begonias and canna lilies after the foliage has died down and store them in a cool, 45-50 F, dry location.
• Protect trunks of young trees from winter cracking by wrapping them with a white reflective tree wrap.
• Dig and remove annual flowers.
• Plant cold-hardy annuals such as pansies, primrose, kale and ornamental cabbage.
• Prune out (to the ground) raspberry canes that have fruited.
• Fall is the best time to control tough perennial weeds such as field bindweed (morning glory). See a list of weed control options here.
• The last lawn mowing of the season should be 1-1 ½ inches high to minimize disease problems.
• Apply a quick-release nitrogen fertilizer after the last mowing (late October to early November) for early green-up next spring.
• Visit here for the average first and last frost dates in locations around Utah.

Pests and Problems:

• Send diseased vegetable plants and leaves to the local landfill.
• Use burlap or other soft materials to wrap evergreens to prevent snow breakage.
• Treat for Coryneum blight in stone fruits (cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums) when 50 percent of the leaves have dropped.
• Clean up and discard fallen fruit to reduce overwintering sites for disease and insect pests.