Now that the dog days of summer have finally passed, it's time to start thinking about a few key fall gardening chores. These tasks will both provide you with colorful fall foliage as well as protect your summer plants for the following season. Gardeners also need to know what type of bulbs to plant that are strong enough to stand up to the sometimes harsh autumn weather conditions.

You don't have to forget about fresh herbs just because its fall, simply bring your fresh herbs indoors to the safety of your home. Not all herbs are capable of growing indoors so you should read up and select the varieties that will prosper in home conditions. Herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or even parsley should survive the fall season indoors. Location of the herbs will play a major role in their survival so be sure to place them somewhere they can receive the much needed sunlight, as many herbs require up to six hours per day, and others wont require much sunlight at all. Misting will keep your herbs happy during the fall and winter months because your herbs won't require everyday watering to keep them nourished.

Don't wait until the first frost to bring all of your houseplants indoors. The optimum time to bring them in is when the outside temperature is near the temperature indoors. Basically, if you feel comfortable leaving your windows open all day then it is time to bring your houseplants in for the fall to get them acclimated to the indoor conditions. During the summer season, it is possible that your house plants may have gathered various outdoor pests such as ants. To get rid of pests you should treat your plants with a mild insecticide prior to bringing them indoors. Washing the leaves of your houseplants with a mixture of mild soap and water may also be a good idea. Just like your herbs, your house plants will not require an abundance of watering during the fall and winter months.

Pay attention to your local weather forecasts and research when you are expected to receive the first frost of the season. Six weeks prior to the first frost is the perfect time to dig up and divide some of your crowded spring perennials. It is wise to know the plants in your garden because not all perennials need to be divided. This task will ensure that your spring and summer plants will be better adapted to handle the harsh fall and winter and will return healthy the following spring.

Fall is the perfect time to plant many of your spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils. This will allow the bulbs to better acquaint themselves to the soil around them during fall and winter resulting in better growth when spring rolls around. Just after the first hard freeze is also a good time to dig up your summer bulbs such as gladiolus. Once again, you should know your plants and which ones need to be dug up.

There are a range of plants and vegetation that thrive in fall like conditions and will provide your garden with both life and color all season. Often referred to just as Plumbago, Ceratostigm Plumbago makes a very colorful ground cover for your fall garden. It's low growing, steadily spreading habit and deep blue hues add both greenery and color to your garden. These fall plants require them to be planted in either full sunlight or very little shaded areas, and in very fertile well-drained soil.

When the cooler temperatures come the foliage will take on a reddish bronze tone. Coreopsis, or better known as Tickseed, is perfectly suited for any fall garden. It has an almost daisy like quality and is perfect as groundcover, in front of bordering or as under-planting. Coreopsis requires little water but should be planted in full sunlight for the best results. Asters are a great way to add much needed color to your fall garden. They vary in color from white to pink or blue and are perfectly adept at surviving fall conditions. Mums are also a great way to add some flair. They have a tight, mounded habit and a stunning bloom cover available in several colors which make this plant perfect for your fall mass planting projects.

Remember, when fall approaches there are several tasks that are required to keep your plants healthy and plenty of species that will keep your garden alive and colorful even in autumn. Make sure you research any bulbs you plant in fall and follow the planting guidelines to ensure the best results. Give your plants the proper sun exposure and water. Follow these simple tasks and your garden will remain bright and colorful nearly all year round and make you the envy of your neighborhood.