You spend all summer tending to your garden so that it thrives. Then the cold season hits, and it feels as though all your hard work has withered away with the fallen leaves. But there are some simple expert-approved tasks you can do now to make sure your perennials wind down properly so they pop back up again for a proper spring bloom .

Nicole Johnsey Burke, gardener and CEO of Gardenary Inc., says perennials should go dormant during this time—not keep pushing out soft, tender leaves that’ll just freeze up. “In my own garden, I focus on helping things gradually slow down as the temperature drops," she adds. "It all comes down to timing and knowing your plants.”

If you prefer the low-fuss approach (with fingers-crossed), Burke has some good news for you: “Honestly, with good soil and

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