Schedule the work over several weekends so it doesn't become overwhelming. While many of these steps relate to vegetable gardens specifically, the rest are good practices for any garden.

Cut down and remove the past season's vegetables, and add them to the compost pile. Cut back faded or dead foliage on perennials after the first hard frost, and compost. Never compost diseased or pest-infested plants.

Rake up and compost fallen leaves on the lawn, and pull weeds before mowing for the last time.

Cover containers that will remain outdoors to prevent them from filling with water, freezing, and cracking. Stainless steel, aluminum, tin, and copper covers can be used. A less-expensive alternative is to use exterior-grade plywood. While it is less attractive, its just as effective.

Terra-cotta pots need to be properly cared for so they'll do their job well the next year. Before storing, disinfect pots to rid them of soil residue that may carry disease harmful to new plantings, especially to vulnerable seedlings.

Scrub the insides and outsides of your pots with plain room temperature water and a stiff brush (we used a bottle-cleaning brush) to get rid of soil that could harbor insects or disease. To prevent buildup of dangerous and unwanted mold, let pots dry completely before stacking and storing

Once the garden has been put to bed, bring in garden hoses, turn off taps, and take some time to tune-up tools before storing them for the season.

Can't wait all winter to garden again? Build a cold frame and you can grow vegetables during the winter so you can feast on fresh produce from your backyard all year.