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Many people see winter as a time to close down their garden and wait until warm weather returns to start gardening again. However, even if you don't live in balmy states, such as Florida or California, there is plenty you can do during the cold months to ensure a beautiful garden come spring. Here are some tips.

Compost and mulch. Dig up and discard weeds and diseased plants. Shred fall leaves and pull out any dying annuals for a compost pile. Remove old debris around flower beds and, once the ground freezes, use the fresh compost as new mulch for your perennials.

Plant certain bulbs outside, such as iris, daffodils, day lilies, ranunculus and tulips.

Plant some seeds inside under lights, six to eight weeks before transplanting them in your garden in the spring. Good bets include herbs, tomatoes, snapdragons, chili peppers, petunias and salvia.

Get a jump on next spring by using cold frames - outdoor boxes covered with glass or plastic sheets. Place cold frames over seedlings or plants. When you protect perennials and sow seeds, such as leafy vegetables, under the cold frames, you give them extra warmth so they will sprout earlier in spring.

Prune trees. When a tree's branches are bare, you have a clearer view of how to shape its structure.

Water one last time before the freeze. Ideally, your yard should get an inch of water every 14 to 21 days during the growing season. Give your plants and trees a watering one week or so before you expect the ground to freeze.

Download the Winter 2011 issue of the Alliant Advisor.

Sources: wintergardeningtips.com, bestgrardening.com, msn.com, gardeners.com, The Wall Street Journal, Better Homes and Gardens, and flower-gardening-made-easy.com