Central New Yorkers are preparing for the first frost of the year, which may come as early as this weekend.

Linda Hahn, a local farmer, advises gardeners to protect their plants before the first frost.

"If you have a small garden you can cover up your peppers, tomatoes, and things like that and keep them going because usually after the first frost you get a couple weeks of good growing weather again," says Hahn.

Hahn says gardeners should mulch plants they hope will grow back in next year, like perennials. "They can even use leaves or if they do want to use mulch for protection and they'll find those plants will come along really well," says Hahn,

Tuesday was the last day of the Downtown Farmer's Market as fall settles in. If you are looking for fresh produce, The Regional Market operates year round.

The first day of autumn was September 22 and the first official day of winter is December 21.