In northern climates, the growing season is just about over for another year, but some of the most important work for gardeners is just beginning. Cleanup and prep work done this Fall can make a huge difference in next year’s lawn and garden. Here’s a checklist for Fall cleanup and some tips on getting things ready for Winter.

Remove debris, spent plants and weeds. The importance of removing leaves, spent annual flowers or vegetables, weeds and other debris before the snow flies can’t be overstated.

Autumn is the time of year is when weed pods and cases burst open to release their seeds. Pull the plants up or at least clip off the heads and discard them. By the way, you don’t want these in your compost pile or bin.

Contrary to popular belief, whole leaves do not make good mulch. They can foster plant disease, harbor pests and upset the pH balance of the soil. Rake them up and get them out of there. They may be composted or shredded for mulch, but you’ll need to watch closely for evidence of added soil acidity.

Pull up those annuals and compost them, unless you suspect disease, in which case they need to go to the garbage or yard waste collection.

Prep for Spring. After you've gotten rid of the weeds and other debris, it’s a great time to prepare beds and your lawn for spring.

Fall is generally not a good time to prune or fertilize plants, since it can encourage now growth that can be damaged by the cold. There are two notable exceptions. First of all, fertilizing the lawn with a winterizer blend that stimulates root growth helps the grass withstand Winter and also gets it off to a good start in the Spring. As to pruning, it’s alright to trim out dead or damaged foliage and branches.

It’s also a great time to work up your beds, test the soil for pH and nutrients, and add whatever is needed to be absorbed during the Winter. Three or four inches of mulch or compost on top to be incorporated next Spring is the finishing touch.

Before the ground freezes is also the time to plant hardy bulbs that bloom in the Spring. You can also plant some shrubs, trees, and perennials this time of year.

Dig up your tender bulbs. Some perennials will freeze and die if left in the ground in cold climates. You’ll want to dig up Cannas, Dahlias, and the like fairly early. Trim off any foliage, let them dry for 10 days and then store them in paper bags in a cool, dark, dry place to replant next Spring.

Water and mulch. Particularly if it’s been a dry year (as it has been in 2011), your trees, shrubs and hardy perennials will need a good soaking before the soil freezes. A heavy blanket of mulch (at least 5 inches) is a good idea too, especially in areas where you don’t usually get deep snows for cover. You can wrap tender shrubs and roses with burlap to protect them.

Clean up your tools. Admit it. Even if you started out this year with nice, shiny, well organized tools, through the dog days of Summer and on into the Fall, they’ve fallen prey to neglect. Fall is an excellent time to clean them up with soapy water, scrub off the rust with a wire brush or steel wool, sharpen any cutting edges, apply a light coat of vegetable oil, and get them organized again. If you don’t have a peg board or other storage system, these lazy Fall days are a good time to make one. You’ll thank yourself come Springtime.