If you have cold winters, don't leave filled pots outside that have the potential to break in freezing temperatures. When left out in the elements, pots will expand when frozen and then shrink back with a thaw. This can cause cracks, especially with terra-cotta and ceramic pots. Your safest bet is to clean them up and bring them inside.

Deal with the plants themselves next. Most annuals grown in pots are inexpensive and easily replaced each year. However, if you have a prized annual, an expensive exotic or one with sentimental value, bring the plant inside for the winter. Before you bring it in, though, check the plant for pests. Even if you don't see any bugs, it's best to spray it with a pest killer of your choice just to be safe.

Other plants, such as some perennials and biennials, have the ability to come back in the spring. But because these plants won't have the added insulation of being in the ground, make sure plants left outside are winter hardy to two plant zones colder than the one you live in.

For example, I live in USDA zone 6a, so my plants to remain outdoors should be hardy to zone 4.

Find your USDA hardiness zone

It's also a good idea to clean your garden tools and store them away from the elements. If you dealt with any diseased plants, clean the blades of the tools with rubbing alcohol to prevent spreading the disease to healthy plants.

And last, winter is the time to dream about what you want your garden to look like next year. So take the time to write down which plants worked well for you this year in a journal or notebook, as well as the ones that were flops. This way you won't have to rely on your memory of what you should buy several months from now.

Also, jot down any plant combos that worked really well together, whether they were yours or in someone else's garden. This will help you when you put together your container combinations in the spring. Adding photos to your journal will bring your memories to life, as well as make looking back through your notes more pleasurable.

More ideas for winter gardening