Winter is right around the corner and that means freezing temperatures aren't too far off. Remember the 3 P's over the next few days: plant, pipe and pet protection. Here are a few tips and feel free to add your suggestions.

For many of your tropical or tender plants, you will need to protect them from the cold. It is good to make sure your plants are well watered before the freeze.

Cover the plants with a frost cloth or a blanket. Any covering you can put over the plant that will really help the plant become insulated and trap the heat from the soil.

Make sure the cloth is weighed down so it doesn't blow off and the blanket is not wrapped around the plant but touching the ground. One of the worst mistakes you can do is leave the cloth on after it warms up which essentially cooks the plants.

Pet sweaters are a good idea, or a warm bed or blanket. You can find sweaters for dogs that range in all sizes at stores like Walmart or Old Navy. There's also a doggie "Snuggie" on the market.