Even the most avid gardeners need a break sometimes, and in colder climates this respite is enforced by nature. You won't be able to grow anything outdoors once the temperatures plunge, but preparing your garden in the fall can help ensure that it will have a healthy comeback in the spring.

Once your plants have started to die down, you should take steps to cut them back. The Old Farmer's Almanac recommends destroying any problematic plants, since they can harbor diseases or pests if you put them in a compost pile.

Check the recommendations for individual plants to see how they should be prepared for the winter. You may be able to transfer some plants to a pot and take them indoors. Perennials often need to be trimmed back to a short height. The autumn is also a good time to divide any plants that flower in the spring.

Some plants will benefit from a dormancy period in the cold ground, and you can sow them before the first hard frost arrives. Leonard Perry, writing for the University of Vermont Extension, says it is a good time to plant spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils or tulips. Evergreens and shrubs can also be planted to help them establish stronger root systems.

Once the leaves start falling, your garden beds can easily be inundated by fallen foliage. Make sure to remove leaf litter and other debris, since it can harbor insects and other pests.

However, you don't need to remove every single leaf. Rebecca Krans, writing for the Michigan State University Extension, says a small amount of organic material will break down and filter into the soil, providing nutrients for your plants. It might also be used as a winter habitat for pollinators.

A layer of mulch, straw, or compost can help insulate the garden and protect any overwintering plants. Leaving a small area uncovered can be beneficial, as it will allow native bees to hibernate during the winter. The University of Illinois Extension says a two- or three-inch layer of mulch will be sufficient, and that it's best to put it down after a few frosts have occurred and the temperatures are consistently lower.

You'll want to continue weeding the garden for as long as possible, since weeds can allow insects and diseases to survive the winter and harm your garden in the following season. The Old Farmer's Almanac says you'll also keep weeds from going to seed, which will make your garden even more overgrown the next year.

Continue to water your plants until the soil freezes. Doing so will provide them with a plentiful supply of moisture, and help perennials and evergreens through the winter.

Put markers in the soil so you'll remember where each overwintering plant is located. You may also find it easier to make an entirely new garden bed at this time of the year by stripping down a section of grass before putting down a layer of newspaper and compost.

It's a good time to make use of your compost. Sue Sanderson, writing for the seed company Thompson & Morgan, says spreading your existing compost on your lawn and garden will make room for a new batch. Compost requires a mixture of nitrogen-rich "green" matter and carbon-rich "brown" matter; fallen leaves provide an ample source of the former, while discarded plants are one source of the latter.

Prepare your lawn for the winter as well. You should continue to mow the grass into the late autumn. You may want to aerate the soil and put down new turf or grass seed if any areas of the lawn are looking particularly patchy. The Old Farmer's Almanac says you'll want to avoid letting your grass grow out, since it is more likely to develop brown spots after the arrival of snow.

You may want to add some extra winter protections to your trees and shrubs. Perry says tree wrap will keep bark from splitting if it thaws too quickly in the morning sunlight, while anti-desiccant sprays can keep evergreens from being damaged by winter winds. You can also set up wooden frames or other protective measures over plants near overhangs, which can be damaged by snow or ice sliding off the roof.

If you have a greenhouse, you'll want to prepare it for its winter duties. Sanderson says you should repair any missing or broken panes, and clean the rest of the glass to ensure that the interior gets plenty of sunlight.

Take care of your gardening tools before you put them away for the season. The Old Farmer's Almanac recommends emptying your containers and storing them upside down, draining and rolling up the hose, oiling your shears and other equipment, and draining the fuel from your lawn mower or any other power tools.