Wrapping young trees may
prevent sunscalding.

• If desired, cut back perennials felled by frost to just a few inches. As long as the leaves aren't diseased, pitch them in the compost heap. Then mow over the perennials with a few inches of lightweight mulch, such as chopped leaves or pine needles. However, there are two camps on this. Some feel that perennials overwinter better with more foliage attached and look more interesting besides.
• Pull out annuals and pitch them as well.
• After the last mowing of the season, take in your mower to be serviced and have the blade sharpened so it's ready to go for spring. Winterize all summer power equipment by allowing it to run until the gasoline runs out.
• Wrap the trunks of new trees, especially fruit trees, to prevent rodent damage and sun scald.

Perfect Bulb Planting -- You can still plant spring-blooming bulbs, including tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, this month as long as the ground hasn't frozen.

Perfect Bulb Planting

Putting Your Garden to Bed -- Prepare your roses for winter. For most, this means mounding several inches of soil around the base. In Zones 5 and colder you should wrap the top portion of less-hardy roses, such as hybrid teas, in burlap.

Putting Your Garden to Bed

Zone Maps

Gorgeous Bulb Gardens -- It's still a good time to force bulbs -- plant bulbs in pots to store in a fridge or other cold place to then bring to bloom in the winter.

Gorgeous Bulb Gardens

Leaf Disposal -- Keep up with leaf raking. Check out BHG.com's reader's ideas on how to dispose of leaves.

Leaf Disposal

Composting 101 -- Composting is a terrific option for dealing with leaves. It's low-cost, doesn't smell or attract animals, and it improves your soil beautifully!

Composting 101

Storing Tender Bulbs -- If you haven't already, dig up and store tender bulbs, including tuberous begonias, glads, dahlias, cannas, and others.

Storing Tender Bulbs

• Empty pots for the winter and store in a covered spot. Leaving them out will cause them to crack over the winter.
• If the weather is dry, water newly-planted trees and shrubs. This will lessen the chance of winter kill.
• Unscrew hoses from hydrants or they might burst a pipe when the water freezes. Drain the hose and store in a covered place.

Fall Tool Care -- At the end of the season, clean and oil hand tools and store.

Fall Tool Care

• If you have fish in an ornamental pond, in very cold regions, consider adding a water heater so the fish will survive the winter. Also be sure to keep the water level up. Water blocks a high percentage of UVA rays, slowing damage to pond liners.