The changing seasons of summer to autumn tend to signal a quieter period in the garden, with fewer flowers blooming and smaller fall harvests. Of course, that doesn’t mean the gardener’s job is done.

As plants approach the end of this year’s lifecycle, it’s time to begin preparing perennials for winter and preparing the rest of the garden for a similar period of dormancy. Taking advantage of these last few warm days will make these tasks easier than working when the soil is frozen.

Many task timelines will depend on regional climates. Some, such as preparing greenhouses for overwintering, may not be necessary at all if you live in deeper southern areas with milder winters.

In general, however, October is a period of transition. This makes it the perfect time to get ahead of weather shif

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