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MARQUETTE -- The changing of the seasons means a lot of work for employees at Meister's Showplace and Greenhouses.  They'll be pruning and clearing space to store the plants leftover after the cold weather comes.  But they say this season is also a good opportunity for homeowners--green thumbs and novices alike--to prepare their own greenery for the best results next spring. 

Linda Clark, manager at Meister's, says right now is the best time for a few simple steps to drastically improve something most homeowners have...a lawn.     

"The healthier your lawn is, the less pest problems and weed problems you're going to have," says nursery manager Linda Clark.

A healthy lawn is something that can pay off, especially for homeowners who may put their homes back on the market in the future. 

"When a buyer sees a home and the lawn is in good shape, they have expectations that the house has been well-maintained, too," says Select realtor, Stephanie Jones.  "For a home that has a shaggy lawn, they tend to think that maybe they didn't take care of the inside of the house as well."

A special fertilizer applied before winter could make a big difference, and now is the time to use it.  Even if you've never prepared your lawn for the winter months, you can still expect to see results as early as next spring.  Clark also advises applying lime and only watering your lawn when it is dry.

The last chance to complete these steps is before the ground freezes near the end of October.