It's time to finally admit that fall has arrived and it's the perfect time of year to do some gardening. Sod, grass seed, bulbs, perennials and trees can be planted or laid down during this cooler time of the year. Fall actually provides growing conditions that are ideal for many plant types since the cooler temperatures allow the roots to grow into the soil more slowly.

Fall bulbs are currently being sold at local garden centers and now is the right time to get them planted. If you want a colorful array of flowers jumping out of the soil in the springtime start planting your daffodil, crocus, tulip and Iris bulbs now before the frost starts to set in.

Time to give your lawn some love

You'll be able to enjoy a thicker lawn next spring if you take the time now to seed and fertilize it. You can also lime it now if you'd like or wait until the fertilizing and seeding have been done and do it later this fall. If you plan on aerating your lawn this year make sure that it's done prior to the seeding.

Bring the plants back indoors

If you have indoor plants that you've taken out for the summer it's time to bring them back inside. They should first be sprayed with a natural insecticide to prevent bringing any bugs into your home.

Preventing winter weeds

You can prevent weeds from gathering on your lawn during the winter months now by applying weed control on the lawn. If you do need to de-weed now, however, you won't be able to seed until spring since you are supposed to wait at least 60 days before applying the seed after the weed control has been applied.

Feed your plants

Purchase a slow release type of plant food for your plants and get some fertilizer for your flowering shrubs and perennials. Don't forget to fertilize your trees as well to help them get through the cold winter months and thrive in the spring.

If you're worried about frost arriving sooner than anticipated have a lightweight tarp at hand that you can spread over your impatiens, begonias and petunias. This will help to keep them warm and prevent them from freezing so that they can continue to bloom until the extreme cold arrives.