One of the best ways to clean up the garden in preparation for fall is to cut back your plants. Fall bloomers like mums, Mexican Bush Sage and fall asters should not be pruned this late in the season because that will prevent blooming this autumn.

But many other flowers will benefit from a trim this time of year. Cut your roses up to one third of their length to shape them and encourage new flower formation. Deadheading – cutting off old flowers and their stems – will make many summer blooming perennials like coneflowers (Echinacea) and salvia flower again.

Hot weather annuals and herbs had a hard time this summer and if they are getting leggy, pinch the tips or cut them back a little. Always leave at least three sets of leaves on each stem to support the plant.

If your annuals look too ugly to deal with, pull them up and plant fall annuals like ornamental peppers, croton, dianthus and mums to provide color until you can plant cool season annuals such as pansies and violas.

Add mulch to any bare ground for a fresh look.