At last we see the end of an unprecedented year. There’s hope for better times ahead, but everyone should do what they can to see out the old and usher in the new. With brio and style, if not with cows.

It’s Christmas time again in all its splendor, sacred and secular. Our year-end holidays have always had a theme of light gaining on darkness, of peace and goodwill outweighing strife and sorrow. Let’s celebrate that age-old idea.

Oh, Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree! When we drag an entire tree inside our homes and drape it with lights and shiny objects, we’re hearkening back to days of yore. I consider the infinite variations on decorating the tree the finest of folk arts.

Pleasures of the winter garden are subtle but real, and a welcome respite from overheated indoor spaces. Take a turn around your yard in the off season and you may better appreciate its underlying structure - or decide you need more four-season interest.

A long and dreary winter can seem less so if you’re growing bulbs tailored to indoor culture. Amaryllis and paperwhites are all but foolproof and make ideal holiday gifts for those flower-lovers on your list. Spread some around and enjoy!

When autumn leaves start to fall…you can have one heck of a job ahead of you. Take the lazy way out and leave them or mow them in place. Or treat them like colorful playthings for your temporary amusement.

We’re down to the very end of the season here in November. There are still a few blossoms lingering on my favorite late-season perennial, the so-called “Korean” mums. The taxonomy is tangled but the flowers are lovely.

Chrysanthemums and asters are the iconic flowers of autumn, but showy sedums are indispensable for the low-maintenance garden. Handsome in three seasons with flowers attractive to bees and butterflies, they can offer winter interest even after their colors have faded.

Gourds are the weirdos of the vegetable patch. Brightly colored and sculptural in shape, they lend themselves to decorative schemes and craft projects. Don’t try to eat them — they are uniformly bitter and unpalatable. Just admire them for their offbeat character.

Don’t let autumn slip away without planning for spring. Guaranteed to make the season colorful and joyous, the spring-flowering bulb need to be tucked in this fall, before winter arrives. Give yourself something to look forward to.

For four-season interest and good deer resistance, consider the versatile grasses. The wide variety of ornamental species means there is one for virtually any location. They add motion to the garden, gently tossing in every breeze, and look especially when backlit.

It’s pumpkin season and if you’re not seeing these fat orange globes everywhere you’re hiding in some underground bunker. The plaything of the vegetable patch, they’re ripe and ready for carving, painting and other exotic pursuits. Enjoy!

September is almost gone and soon the growing season will be over. Meanwhile, things are still lush and a little wild in the garden, where weeds, wind and rain have blurred the lines of your original, crisp designs. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Fall officially arrives on Tuesday with that special moment we call the autumn equinox. If you know that much you’re ahead of the game. Pretty much everything else about the equinox that’s “common” knowledge gets it wrong.

If you see flowers that look like spring crocuses this fall, you’re not in a time warp. Several crocus species and look-alike relatives are actually fall bloomers. These include the source of saffron, “spice of kings.”

Some people refer to “dumb” animals, but I prefer to think of them as merely dopey and not always aware of what can harm them. Common yard chemicals and toxic plants can be hazardous so be vigilant to keep your pets safe.

If you’ve never made or kept a garden, you may find it hard to understand the joy and devotion it inspires in those who have. There’s something deeply satisfying in coaxing a flower into bloom, a plant into yielding a crop. I’ll try to explain.

It’s heartbreaking to lose mature trees to stormy weather. Few things can so radically change the landscapes we call home. Inexperienced homeowners should not treat this trauma as a DYI project - call in the experts.

What is that ungodly noise out there these hot summer nights? It’s the raucous song of nocturnal insects, treating you to a wall-of-sound that would put Phil Spector to shame. I actually like this bug music and finding myself tempted to sing along.

Probably around now, your container plants look like they’re flagging. It’s been too hot, too dry and then too windy what with crazy storms moving through. Don’t give up! Give your plants a haircut and regular meals. They’ll rebound and carry on.