Get your garden and lawn ready for winter's wrath Columbia MO

(NC)-Shorter days and chilly weather may have caused your garden and lawn to shed its green hue, but that doesn't mean you can't think "green" when it comes to preparing for the winter months ahead. Consider the following fall garden and lawn clean-up tips from The Home Depot Canada:

Fall lawn care - Caring for your lawn in the fall as you would in the summer months will yield maximum results the following growing season. As the kids head back to school, get back to basics by applying a 100 per cent natural fertilizer to your lawn. The fertilizer allows your lawn to withstand the stress of winter and then green-up fast in the spring.

Mind your mower - Before rolling away your lawn mower make sure to "winterize" it to ensure a smooth cut next spring. Tighten all nuts and bolts and repair all scratches and chips to fight off rust. Hose off any mud, dirt, grass and leaves stuck to the mower and remove any debris caught in the blade with a stick - never with your hands. Opt for a push or electric-powered mower next season. They help reduce toxic air emissions produced by old two- and four-stroke gas mowers.

Get organized - In a hurry to make room for the snow blower, shovel and salt buckets? Don't forget to store your garden and lawn tools in a safe place. Clean all of your equipment and store it in a dry place to avoid rusting. Use a lawn and garden cart or organizer to keep all your tools together and to minimize the amount of space it takes up in your garage or shed.

More environmentally friendly fall garden clean-up information can be found online at www.homedepot.ca or at a store in your community.

- News Canada