Easy Fall Prep for a Warm and Cozy Home

"Grass roots keep growing until the ground gets down to around 40 degrees," says TOH landscape contractor Roger Cook, "so this is a good time to feed them." Apply a high-phosphorus (12-25-12) mix to lawns in fall to encourage roots, so turf greens up earlier in spring.

It's also a good time to seed a new lawn, start a compost pile, and trim shrubs and trees.

See Roger's entire Fall Groundwork Checklist for more seasonal landscaping pointers.