So do you think that now that the leaves have fallen, the days are short and the nights are cold, and the gardening year is over?

Only if you want it.

"There is always something to do in the garden," said Julianoski, manager of the plant clinic at the Lyermorton Botanical Garden. "Anytime you want a reason to stay outdoors, throughout the winter, you can do something to help your plants survive and prepare for next year's growth."

Here are some winter gardening tasks to keep in mind.

In winter, when deciduous plants are exposed and dormant, it is a good time to prune and shape shrubs. "With the leaves gone, you can better see the structure of the plant," Yanoski said. The work is planned to be completed by mid-March. You can prune any shrubs in winter, but if you prune the branches of plants that bloom in spring (such as forsythia or flowering papaya), you will remove the flower buds and you will give up some flowers.

Winter is the best time for professionals to prune trees that are too large to prune themselves. "Some trees, such as oak trees, can only be pruned in winter," Janoski said, to prevent the spread of potentially deadly diseases. Working on icy ground makes it easier for tree workers to avoid damage to other plants in the yard due to walking and equipment.

It is simple and festive to include evergreen plants in the yard in holiday decorations. "Just make sure that when you trim the green, you don't destroy the plants," Janoski said.

If certain spring-flowering bulbs (such as tulips and daffodils) are not planted after the ground freezes, you can still put them in a moist potting mix. Put the flower pots in a sheltered place where they will get cold but not freeze, such as an unheated garage. "Unless they have experienced cold weather for at least four months, the bulbs will not bloom in the spring," she said. In early spring, you can bring the pots indoors and start watering to encourage them to bloom indoors. Or, you can put the flower pot in the sunny garden to add color to the garden in spring.

With the effects of winter weather, perennials and shrubs may start to look a little shabby. "You can trim them at any time," Janoski said. Perennial stems may harbor valuable overwintering insects, so don't remove them from the garden bed, but cut them into pieces and let them fall into the soil.

She said: "If you notice some bare soil in the middle of winter, it is still worthwhile to sprinkle with mulch." This is because in the Midwest, one of the main purposes of mulch is to prevent the soil from warming in late winter. The temperature rises too early to keep the roots of the plant cool, and will not leave the dormant state and germinate prematurely. Spread an even layer of mulch around the trees and shrubs, about 3 inches deep, and 1 to 2 inches deep on the perennial bed.

Plants that stay green in winter will never be completely dormant. "Since their leaves are still working, they still need water," Janoski said. If the soil around them is not completely frozen, it is worth watering. "If your hose is put away, you can use a bucket," she said.

Winter is the time to prepare for next year. Use your notes and photos from last year to decide what changes you want to make starting in March: the shrubs or trees you want to plant, the places you want to see more colors, the vegetable beds you want to add.

"If you think it through, gardening will be more successful," Janoski said. "Conduct research and get advice to make sure you choose the right plants and the right design for you and your space. Even if the weather outside is bad or cold, you can still work in the garden with a computer or a bookshelf."

For tree and plant advice, please contact Morton Arboretum's plant clinic (630-719-2424, mortonarb.org/plant-clinic, or plantclinic@mortonarb.org). Beth Botts is a staff writer at the Botanic Gardens.