The dead remains of annual plants and perennial foliage don’t just look unattractive, they also harbor pests and diseases. Pull up annual plants and compost or dispose of them. As for perennials, cut back the tops to within 6 to 12 inches of the ground. Leave a few short stems to protect the crowns over winter. Any fallen leaves or other debris should also be raked up and disposed of.

Mulch provides insulation to prevent cold damage to perennial roots. It also suppresses weeds so these unwanted plants won't take over the bare garden bed. Spread an organic mulch, like wood chips, over the bed to a 3-inch depth. If there is already mulch in the bed, simply replenish the mulch so it is at this depth.

A long summer of pushing a heavy mower or playing on the lawn has likely compacted the soil. Fall is a good time to aerate and have excess thatch removed. These two tasks also ensure that fertilizer and other fall lawn treatments can actually work their way into the soil.

Many lawns go dormant during the heat of summer, so a nitrogen-rich fertilizer application in early fall can encourage healthy foliage growth to resume before winter sets in. This allows the grass to absorb nutrients from the sun before winter dormancy.

A second fertilizer application in late fall or early winter will encourage root growth to help the grass last through the cold season. This application should be a phosphorus-rich fertilizer.

At the very end of the season, before any snow falls, make sure all the leaves, twigs, and other lawn debris is cleaned up. Debris on the lawn can smother it over winter. The debris can also harbor disease organisms and pests that could prey on your lawn.

Light pruning can occur in fall, but more intense pruning is better suited for late winter. The only pruning necessary during the fall is to remove dead or dangerous branches that could potentially break off during winter storms. Otherwise, a trim could encourage the tree to put out new growth, which would then be susceptible to cold damage.

Some evergreens and young trees require protection from cold winter wind. Wrap young tree trunks in a tree wrap to insulate them against temperature fluctuations that could cause the bark to crack. Evergreens that are prone to windburn may need to be wrapped in burlap to protect them from cold, windy weather.