A little yard work in the fall can help prevent damage to grass during the cold winter temperatures and help build a healthy lawn next spring. You can help encourage root growth and get your grass green up quickly in the spring by fertilizing in the autumn, says This Old House.

You may also want to consider mulching leaves with your lawn mower, says Bob Vila. This can help provide your lawn with nutrients that will help keep it healthy. If you don't have a mower with a mulch setting or prefer to have a cleaner looking lawn, be sure to rake the leaves so they don't smother the grass.

Trees and shrubs sometimes need extra love to get through the winter — especially trees that drop their leaves each year. Start by watering the trees thoroughly from the trunk to the length of the longest branch, says the Colorado State Forest Service. For trees with thin bark, such as maple and linden trees, use tree wrap to help protect them against the harsh winter temperatures. They also recommend putting 2 to 4 inches of mulch around the base of the tree. You can use any organic mulch that is appropriate for the area where you live, such as wood chips, bark or even fallen leaves.