If you planted bare root goji berry plants this spring, you’ve added one of the most nutrient-packed superfoods to your garden. Known for their antioxidant-rich berries and hardy nature, goji berry shrubs can thrive for years with the right start. But like all perennials, their first year is critical. By fall, your plants have worked hard to establish roots and send up new canes. Now, as they transition toward dormancy, you’ll need to give them a little extra care to help them withstand the cold and wake up healthy next spring.
Understanding Goji Berry Growth in the First Season
During their initial year, goji berry plants devote most of their energy underground, creating a root system capable of supporting years of fruiting growth. You may have seen some leafy shoots and perhaps a small flush of flowers, but the focus isn’t on berries just yet. By fall, the plants naturally slow down, pulling nutrients back into their roots and woody stems. Your job is to support this transition so they enter dormancy strong and stress-free.
Adjusting Fertility and Watering
Fertilizing should stop by late summer. Feeding goji plants at this stage can push soft, tender growth that will be killed by frost and sap energy from the roots. Instead, let the plant redirect resources into strengthening tissues and storing reserves.
Watering, however, remains important through the fall. Goji berries prefer consistent moisture, and young plants don’t yet have deep root systems to protect them from drought. Continue watering during dry spells until the soil freezes, but avoid leaving the soil waterlogged in cooler weather. Hydrated roots going into dormancy are better equipped to handle winter stress.
Mulching for Soil and Root Protection
Mulch is one of the most effective tools you have to protect first-year goji berry plants in fall. Spread a layer of organic mulch—straw, shredded bark, pine needles, or compost—2 to 4 inches thick around the root zone. This layer acts as insulation, moderating soil temperatures and reducing freeze-thaw cycles that can damage young roots.
Keep mulch pulled slightly back from the crown to prevent moisture buildup against stems, which could lead to rot. In colder regions, a thicker mulch blanket offers added protection through harsh freezes.
Cleaning Up and Light Pruning
As fall progresses, your goji berry plants will naturally drop leaves. Rake up any fallen foliage or fruit and dispose of it away from your planting area. This prevents fungal spores and insects from overwintering and reduces disease pressure in spring.
Any diseased or damaged stems can be removed now, but hold off on heavy pruning until late winter or very early spring, when the plant is fully dormant. Keeping the planting area tidy now ensures a healthier start next season.
Protection from Winter Extremes
Goji berry plants are cold hardy, but first-year shrubs are still more vulnerable to temperature swings. In regions with severe winters, consider extra protection:
- Wrap the base of young plants with breathable fabric or burlap.
- Add additional mulch around the crown for insulation.
- For container-grown gojis, move pots to a sheltered spot such as an unheated garage or shed to keep roots from freezing solid.
Even in milder climates, these steps can reduce stress and give your plants a head start in spring.
Final Fall Check
Before the first frost arrives, take a moment to ensure everything is in place: mulch refreshed, soil moist but not soggy, damaged stems pruned, and planting beds cleared of debris. With these steps, your goji berry plants will enter dormancy in the best possible condition, ready to put on vigorous growth next year.
🛒 Where to Buy Bare Root Goji Berry Plants
When you’re ready to plant more superfood shrubs, go with Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC:
✅ Best prices on bare root goji berry plants
✅ Non-GMO, climate-suited varieties for gardeners across the U.S.
✅ Fast shipping so plants arrive fresh and planting-ready
✅ Free 1-Year Plantsurance™ Guarantee – store credit if your plant doesn’t survive 🛡️
At Ty Ty, we make planting goji berries zero stress and all success.
🌟 Final Thought
Your first fall with goji berry plants is about preparation, not production. By moderating water, protecting roots with mulch, keeping the area clean, and shielding young plants from harsh cold, you’ll ensure they not only survive winter but thrive in spring.
Order your bare root goji berry plants from Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC today and enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own superfruit.
Ty Ty Plant Nursery's Blog 
Leave a comment