Summer is over, but now is the best time to give your lawn some care. Even healthy-looking grass benefits from autumn effort, resulting in a vibrant spring lawn. The key? Aeration.

Aerating your lawn means making small holes in the soil. Compacted soil from foot traffic, mowing, and rain blocks air, water, and nutrients from reaching roots. Aeration breaks up this compaction, letting your lawn get what it needs to thrive.

For small lawns, use a garden fork. Push the tines into the soil at 12-inch intervals. For larger lawns, hire a rolling hollow-tine aerator or a slitter. These machines quickly pull out soil plugs and help new growth.

Once you have aerated, the next step is to work a layer of grit into the holes. This helps keep the channels open and improves drainage. Use a stiff brush or the back of a rake to work the grit in, ensuring it fills the new holes. Finally, give your lawn a thorough scratch with a wire rake to remove any built-up thatch and moss. Your lawn may look a little threadbare now, but this autumn effort is the foundation for a stunning, resilient lawn come spring.