A simple guide to getting your home and garden ready for winter

Summer may be over, but don’t put away your gardening gloves just yet: your home and yard need to be prepared for the cold months ahead. Here’s a fall checklist to ensure you’re ready for winter.

1. Remove dead plants. Once the growing season is over, uproot plants that won’t grow back next year and compost them.

2. Prune large perennials. If a plant has grown too large for its allotted space, this is the perfect time to trim and/or divide it.

3. Prepare the soil for spring. Add mulch, manure or compost to your beds and turn the soil with a pitchfork. This will replenish nutrients that were depleted over the summer.

4. Bring potted plants indoors. Check them thoroughly for insects before bringing them into your home.

5. Prepare the lawn. Cut your grass short so that sunlight can reach as close to the roots as possible. Rake fallen leaves and use them as mulch for your flower or vegetable garden.

6. Protect trees and shrubs. Wrap them in burlap to protect them from the wind and cold.

7. Plant bulbs. Before the first frost, plant tulip, daffodil, crocus and other spring bulbs.

8. Trim branches. Prune trees and bushes that grow close to your home. This will prevent them from damaging your property.

9. Close the pool. Drain the water, empty the filter, remove the skimmer basket, detach the ladder, set up the winter cover and bring the pump indoors.

10. Winterize outdoor plumbing. Drain the hose and turn off the water supply to prevent pipes from bursting.

11. Prepare the sump pump. Disconnect and clean it. Afterwards, run a bucket of water through the sump pit to make sure the pump works.

12. Tidy the shed. Organize every¬thing and be sure to clean and sharpen your garden tools so they’re ready to use in the spring.

13. Store the patio furniture. Clean chairs and tables before putting them away for the winter. Make sure to bring your cushions indoors.