It's that time of year when the leaves start to turn a golden color and look extremely pretty on the trees. It won't be long, however, before they will all be on the ground waiting to be raked up.

While it may be tempting to skip this laborious chore, leaving leaves on your lawn is one of the worst things you can do for your grass. And let's face it, once the snow falls, the leaves will be out of sight and out of mind.

Leaves left on a lawn act like a blanket that blocks sunlight and seals in moisture, which can lead to mold. The best way to remove leaves is with a good old-fashioned rake—preferably one with many long sturdy tines.

Rake, Mulch or Compost? Take Your Pick

Raking and bagging for neighborhood pickup is one option. You can also choose to turn your leaves into mulch by grinding them up with a lawn mower. It is recommended that you do this two or three times so that the particles become very fine. Leaving shredded leaves on your lawn will restore nutrients to the lawn.

Building a compost pile is another great way to dispose of those extra leaves. Ideally, a compost heap works best when it's encased in a makeshift container made out of mesh. This will allow air to circulate throughout the compost particles and eventually break them down. Orange peels, banana peels and apple cores can be tossed in the compost as these are biodegradable and they too will break down.

By cleaning up in fall, you'll have a fresh start to spring. Nothing beats taking care of your yard as you prepare for winter and the colder temperatures that are on the way. We've compiled a few simple tips for you to tackle before the first snow fall. And remember, snow has been coming a wee bit earlier in recent years. Don't be surprised if you find yourself shoveling in November!

• Start by putting away lawn toys that are not permanent fixtures in your yard.
• Rake all the leaves for bagging, mulching or composting.
• Pick up sticks and other debris that may be on your lawn.
• Aerate your lawn to create proper air flow, water flow, and nutrient absorption.
• Fertilize your lawn to support root development, especially in bare areas.
• Remove dead plants from flower beds.

Fall has proven to be an excellent season for planting perennials because their roots have time to mature over the winter months. Cooler temperatures also reduce stress on newly planted flowers.

Prior to planting, be sure to remove any excess foliage in the area. Once planted, you'll want to water perennials regularly until the ground freezes. We also recommend adding a layer of mulch to the flower bed as this will help moderate the soil temperature and balance the moisture level.

There are a number of perennials to pick from. When in doubt, pick what catches your eye! Remember, you should love what you plant! Here are a few of our favorites:

• Mums
• Asters
• Sedums
• Russian sage