Drought damage. The continued dry weather has moved on from stressing our lawns to stressing our trees, evidenced by plenty of early leaf drop. Even when we finally get a soaking rain, any newly planted trees and shrubs won't be out of danger yet. You'll need to monitor them for the first few years, and be ready to supplement rainfall if needed.

Thirsty pests. Drought conditions can bring all sorts of wildlife to your garden. Groundhogs, skunks and squirrels will boldly seek out the fruits and foliage of well-watered suburban gardens. A change in the weather should send them back home.

Green return. It's hard to believe it now, but once we get some decent rain, our grass will start growing again. Much-needed moisture, coupled with cooler temperatures, will make for excellent bounce-back conditions.

Recovery. Once we get those rains, it will be time for fall lawn chores like reseeding, overseeding, fertilizing, core aeration and broadleaf and grub controls. Many of these tasks are best accomplished right before an expected rain, so the seeds or the products can be watered in.

Vacation's over. It's time to inspect any houseplants you put outside for the summer. If they have any infestations, start treating them now before you bring them back into the house. Look especially for aphids, spidermites, whiteflies and scale.

Upgrade their homes. Now is also a good time to repot your houseplants, so you can keep the mess outdoors. Once nighttime temperatures drop to 50 degrees, it will be time for the plants to remain indoors until next summer.

Plant for fall color. If you do plant mums or pansies in your garden for extra color this autumn, water them often. Their root systems won't otherwise have a chance to get a foothold in our dry soils. Instead of spending time watering, you may want to add color with dried corn, pumpkins, gourds and other decorations that don't require water.

Tree spinners. Those fall webworms are encasing tree branches with their unsightly nests. Trees are shutting down now, so they don't do much damage. But if you like, you can break up the webs and give the birds a feast, using a strong spray of water or a rake.

Bug off. Seal up your house to prevent invasions of box elder bugs, stink bugs and Asian lady beetles from congregating inside. With caulk gun in hand, inspect the exterior of your home, filling up any inviting cracks.

Time to tidy. Cooler weather means more energy to devote to neglected garden chores. It's time to clean up any "abandoned" plants so you don't encourage a new crop of insect pests or diseases to take hold over the winter.

Create some black gold. As you're tidying up, remember that any plant materials that are not diseased will continue to serve you through the winter, if they're cooking in a compost pile. If you don't have one, it's a good time to start. Begin it with garden waste and then add leaves as they fall.

Quick rot. For the fastest compost, give it a daily spin. A composting workshop featuring the locally manufactured backyard ComposTumbler will be held Sept. 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Lancaster Environmental Center. The workshop cost is $150 and includes the tumbler. To register, contact Lisa Sanchez at 209-3207 or e-mail sanchezl@co.lancaster.pa.us.

Rain catchers. Harvest rainfall for your garden by trading out the end of your downspouts for rainbarrels. Lancaster city residents can purchase barrels at a subsidized cost from the Chesapeake Bay Commission. For pick-up dates and registration forms, visit www.livelancaster.org.

Day of roses. The Penn-Jersey District of the American Rose Society will hold its annual Fall Rose Show Sept. 18 at the Eden Resort. The free show, featuring more than 500 blooms in specimen and arrangement displays, will be open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Expert rose growers from throughout the mid-Atlantic region will be available to talk shop and answer questions. For more information, contact Kevin Glaes at 610-926-4428.

Lancaster-based garden writer Daina Savage can be reached at dainasavage@gmail.com.