If you’ve gardened in Utah for more than a minute, you know our Fall and Winter weather likes to keep you guessing. One day it’s sunny and 65°, the next day you’re scraping frost off the windshield. From the valley floor to the benches of the Wasatch Front to the higher mountain valleys, fall and winter bring unpredictable shifts that can test even the most seasoned gardener. Sudden freezes, dry spells, intense wind and sneaky thaws all impact your plants in different ways—and proper preparation can make all the difference. That’s why fall and winter garden care in Northern Utah isn’t just about clean-up; it’s about setting your landscape up for success when spring returns.
At Glover Nursery, we’ve spent decades helping local gardeners adapt to the Salt Lake Valley’s wild weather patterns. Here are some answers to our most commonly asked questions about what you need to know to keep your garden thriving through the cold months ahead.
Answering Your Utah Fall & Winter Gardening Questions
From mulching to pruning, this seasonal guide answers top questions Northern Utah gardeners have as temperatures drop. Learn how to protect your plants, choose the right soil amendments, and plan ahead using insights from our seasonal plant tips and planting instructions.
Should you clean up your garden in the Fall?
Our first recommendation is to give yourself a break and NOT clean your garden too much in the Fall. Rake leaves off the grass to prevent fungus issues, but as long as those leaves are free of disease, but we recommend using them as a mulch for your garden beds. However, if any of your plants had fungal diseases or powdery mildew, dispose of their leaves in the trash to prevent worsening the issue next year.
Should you cut back perennials in the Fall?
Cutting back perennial flowers in the Fall is common, but many perennials benefit from leaving their foliage intact. Delaying your pruning until the Spring can protect the plant’s crown from frost damage. Additionally, the dried foliage and stems offer food as well as nestshabitat for birds and beneficial insects. Bees, butterflies, ladybugs and other beneficial insects build their winter home in your dormant perennials, so cleaning them up in the fall will also take away the good critters that you want to have in your garden
If those benefits weren’t enough, there is a lot of winter interest (a design quality that is highly valued in landscape design circles) that comes with leaving the seed heads and stems from your perennials and perennial grasses.
What perennials should NOT be cut back in the Fall?
This is a great question and we want to be as thorough in answering it as possible. Our gardening experts and compiling a comprehensive list and we’ll be posting that info soon!
NOTE: Our employees are happy to help! Bring your full plant list to the nursery and we can walk you through proper winter care, suggest pairing options, and make sure your yard is ready for spring!
Create a Winter Habitat for Birds & Bees Expert Gardening Tip:
Leaving your perennials standing through winter does more than protect the plant—it helps your entire garden ecosystem. Birds rely on seed heads for food, and beneficial insects (birds, butterflies, ladybugs to name a few fan favorites) use fallen leaves or other garden debris, along with hollow stems of different types of plants for shelter. When you hold off on pruning until spring, you’re creating a safe winter haven while setting yourself up for a vibrant garden come thaw time.
Should you Fertilize in the Fall?
Fertilizing healthy, established trees and shrubs in the fall is generally not recommended, as it can trigger late-season growth and delay dormancy—leaving plants vulnerable to frost damage. However, when timed correctly, fall fertilization can help trees store nutrients like nitrogen in their roots, supporting strong spring growth once the weather warms up.
The ideal time to fertilize is from late October through early November, when trees are no longer actively growing but haven’t yet gone completely dormant. Use a quick-release nitrogen fertilizer at this stage to support root health without encouraging new leaf growth.
Struggling or newly planted trees and shrubs may benefit from a gentle boost. Products such as root stimulators, fish emulsion, or organic all-purpose fertilizers are effective choices for these younger plants. Apply fertilizer when about half the leaves have fallen and temperatures are steadily dropping. A slow-release fertilizer like Milorganite is also a great option, as it breaks down gradually and becomes available right as plants begin to wake up in the spring.
Should you Prune Trees & Shrubs in the Fall?
Shade & Ornamental Trees:
Pruning is best done when trees are fully dormant, typically in late winter or very early spring, before new growth begins. Pruning during this time helps the tree heal quickly and minimizes the risk of stimulating new growth that could be damaged by frost. If spring pruning isn’t possible, light fall pruning is acceptable—just know it may encourage some late growth instead of allowing the tree to rest naturally. Always remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches before winter to prevent potential breakage or pest problems.
Fruit Trees:
Avoid pruning fruit trees in the fall. Pruning too early can leave cuts exposed to cold temperatures and increase the risk of damage, especially for tender varieties like peaches and cherries. Wait until trees are fully dormant in winter to prune for structure or fruit production. We recommend a pruning window of late January to mid-February, though it always depends on the weather forecast during that time of year.
Spring-Flowering Shrubs:
Many spring-blooming shrubs produce their flowers on old wood, meaning the buds form on the previous year’s growth. Pruning these shrubs in the fall or early spring can remove those buds and reduce next season’s blooms. Instead, prune them immediately after flowering if shaping or size control is needed.
Blooms on Old Wood – Prune Immediately After Blooming (if desired):
- Barberry
- Flowering Quince
- Forsythia
- Lilac
- Mock Orange
- Ninebark
- Prunus species: Almond, Purple Sand Cherry
- Spring-Flowering Spiraea (Snowmound)
- Viburnums
- Some varieties of Hydrangeas (check out this blog post for more specific information on when to prune) https://glovernursery.com/pruning-guide-for-fabulous-hydrangea-blooms/
Summer-Flowering Shrubs:
Many of these later-blooming shrubs can be pruned or deadheaded after flowering in the fall. You can also prune them in the Spring to encourage new growth and flowering that season.
Blooms on Current Year’s Growth – Light prune in Fall, Hard prune in Spring
- Bluebeard
- Butterfly Bush
- Elderberry
- Some varieties of Hydrangeas (check out this blog post for more specific information on when to prune Hydrangeas)
- Potentilla
- Rose of Sharon
- Reblooming Spiraea
What NOT to Prune in the Fall
Fall might feel like the perfect time to tidy up your garden, but most trees and shrubs are better left alone until late winter or early spring. During this time, plants are sending nutrients from their leaves down to their roots to prepare for dormancy. Pruning now can interrupt that process or trigger tender new growth that won’t survive Utah’s freezing temperatures.
Avoid pruning maples, birches, and evergreens like junipers, yews, and boxwoods, as fall cuts can cause sap loss or winter damage. Hold off on trimming spring-blooming shrubs such as forsythia, lilac, viburnum, and hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, since their flower buds are already set for next year. For sensitive plants like butterfly bush and bluebeard, wait until spring to see how much winter dieback occurs before pruning.
Watch the video “What Not to Prune in the Fall” for more detailed guidance from Glover Nursery’s own horticulture expert, Erica, and learn which plants to leave alone (and which few you can prune now).
When to Prune Roses Back?
Roses in Utah enjoy two main bloom seasons — one in late spring and another in early fall — so it’s important to time your pruning to support both. Avoid heavy pruning in the fall, as roses are still preparing for their September and October “Rose Bloom 2.0.” Instead, focus on light shaping and deadheading spent flowers through early fall to encourage continued blooming.
Save your major pruning for late winter or very early spring, just before new growth begins. This allows you to remove any winter-damaged wood while setting the plant up for strong, healthy spring growth. During the growing season, you can trim lightly for bouquets or shaping, but be sure to seal the ends of freshly cut canes with a dab of Elmer’s glue to prevent insects like cane borers from entering.
For a full demonstration and expert tips from Glover Nursery’s rose expert Paul, watch the video “Fall and Winter Pruning and Care for Roses” on YouTube. You’ll learn how to protect your roses from pests, prep for fall blooms, and keep your garden thriving all season long.
When to Prune Evergreens?
Upright evergreens—such as arborvitae, junipers, boxwoods, and yews—require very little pruning. A light trim in late fall is acceptable to help maintain their natural shape, especially once they’ve gone dormant. Avoid heavy pruning at this time, as removing too much foliage can expose inner branches to cold damage during Utah’s harsh winters.
If you need to make larger cuts, wait until early spring, just before new growth begins. This timing allows the plant to recover quickly and fill in evenly.
Do you need to Mulch in the Fall?
Mulching with organic matter like fallen leaves, straw, bark or compost can be very beneficial for a few reasons. Organic material will break down over the winter, adding nutrients to the soil and developing a beneficial soil microbiome. A 2”-3” thick layer of mulch will also help with moisture retention through the Winter and help regulate soil temperature.
What Trees Should you Wrap in the Winter?
Burlap Wrap for Evergreens: Many Columnar Evergreens and other similar upright growing plants should be wrapped in burlap before the first big snowstorm. This protects their branches from breaking apart due to heavy snow loads. You don’t need to completely wrap the plants from top to bottom, just a thin strip of burlap starting from the base and twisting tightly around to the top. You can even wrap them with strings of lights at the same time!
We recommend wrapping these plants for the Winter:
- Upright Arborvitae: Emerald Green, DeGroot’s Spire, American Pillar, North Pole etc.
- Upright Junipers: Blue Arrow, Skyrocket, Taylor, Woodward, Spartan, Spearmint etc.
- Columnar Boxwoods: Green Tower, Green Pillar, Graham Blandy, Dee Runk etc.
- Columnar Yews: Hicks, Irish/Fastigiata
- Buckthorns: Fine Line, Tall Hedge
- Sky Pencil Holly
Tree Trunk Wrap:
Young and newly planted trees often have smooth, thin bark and are vulnerable to winter damage, such as scalding and cracking. To protect these trees, it’s beneficial to wrap them until their bark matures and becomes rough and rigid. Use a thin white tree wrap, applying it from the base up to the lateral branches before a hard freeze. Remove in the Spring once temperatures start rising again.
Do you need to Water in the Winter?
Yes!!!!! — even in winter, your plants still need occasional watering! In Utah’s dry climate, trees, shrubs, and evergreens can suffer from dehydration during long stretches without snow or rain. Add in the dry winter winds which pull moisture out of needles, and your plants will definitelly need a drink to get them safely through our dry winter months. Water deeply on warmer days when the ground isn’t frozen to help hydrate and insulate roots from winter stress.
For detailed guidelines on how and when to water, visit our Winter Watering Guide on the Glover Nursery blog.
Can you Plant in Pots in the Winter?
It depends on what you’re planting. In Utah, winter temperatures can be tough on container plants since roots are more exposed to freezing. For best results, choose cold-hardy perennials, evergreens, or spring bulbs rated for at least one zone colder than your area. Use frost-resistant pots and protect containers by grouping them together or moving them to a sheltered spot.
What do Lawns need in the Fall?
Fall is the perfect time to give your lawn a little extra care before winter. Start by aerating and fertilizing to strengthen roots and improve nutrient absorption. Apply a slow-release or winterizer fertilizer in late October or early November to help your grass store energy for spring. Keep mowing until growth stops, but gradually lower your mower height for the final cut of the season.
Continue watering until the ground freezes, as well-hydrated grass is less prone to winter damage.
When do you plant Tulips?
Tulips — along with other spring-blooming bulbs — should be planted in the fall, ideally from late September through early November in Utah. These bulbs need a cold, dormant period (called cold stratification) over winter to trigger their vibrant spring blooms. Plant them before the ground freezes so roots have time to establish.
What Bulbs Do You Plant in the Fall?
For the best spring display, plant spring-blooming bulbs in the fall, a few weeks before the ground freezes. This timing gives bulbs a chance to establish roots and experience the cold period they need to bloom beautifully in spring. In Utah, that usually means late September through early November. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot and plant bulbs about three times as deep as their height for best results.
Spring-blooming bulbs to plant in fall include:
- Tulips
- Daffodils
- Hyacinths
- Alliums
- Edible Garlic
- Fritillaria
- Crocus
- Chionodoxa
- Snowdrops
- Bluebells
- Squill
- Grecian Anemone
- Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
- Irises (sold as bulbs and dormant plants)
Spring bulbs tend to go fast so if you have your eye on any particular bulb you should get to Glover Nursery in West Jordan in September or early October for the best selection of bulbs. Though, we will have bulbs available through November as well.
Fall is one of the best times to plan ahead for a vibrant, healthy spring garden. From pruning wisely to planting bulbs and protecting perennials, small seasonal steps now can lead to big rewards later.
If you live in the Salt Lake Valley, now is the perfect time to visit Glover Nursery! Our team can help you choose the best plants, trees, and shrubs for fall planting, plus give you expert advice tailored to Utah’s unique climate. Stop by and see why fall is the best season to grow your garden for the ultimate spring show!
