Start harvesting tomatoes, corn, peppers, eggplants and other vegetables early in the fall. In colder climates, an early frost can threaten tomatoes in particular before they have a chance to fully ripen. Consider picking fruit that has just starting turning from green to pink. Remove stems, wash and dry the tomatoes and leave them inside on absorbent paper towels to ripen.

Plant trees early. Late summer or early fall is the best time to plant trees, allowing them to establish roots before winter. Wait until the hottest weather has passed, but before the soil freezes. An exception is evergreens in cold, harsh climates. Their needles will be exposed to winter elements while they are young and weak. Make sure to mulch around trees deeply in the fall, and water throughout the winter.

Plant bulbs throughout the fall. Early spring flowers such as hyacinths can be started early in the fall, and tulips can go in any time the soil is below 60 degrees at six inches below the surface. All bulbs must be planted before the soil freezes.

Cut back perennials and clean up leaves — or not. In wetter, warmer climates, you can trim back perennials to the stem and clear all the leaves for a pristine garden. In cooler, drier climates, you may want to forego perceived aesthetic perfection for practicality. Dried foliage helps insulate the soil, and fallen leaves can be a healthy, beneficial mulch. Take care, however, when raking thick piles of leaves from the lawn into shrub beds. A mat of flat leaves can smother ground covers and other small plants.