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Water your yard a little more deeply after a drought for about two weeks (while still avoiding overwatering). Continue to water in the early morning hours before 10 a.m. You'll also want to invest in some high-quality fertilizer to get more nutrients to your roots and help them grow back stronger and quicker. Look up your grass and soil type, or do a soil test, to see what type of fertilizer you need.

Although core aeration is overall a better method of aerating a lawn, spike aeration can still be helpful, especially if you have a smaller yard or are only trying to work on a specific problem area. Because spike aeration is so accessible thanks to its lower cost and easy DIY tools like aerator shoes, it can still be worthwhile for some gardeners.

Break up hard dirt in your yard with popular methods such as core aeration or manual aeration with a spade, mini excavator, or pitchfork. You can also alter your soil to keep it from compacting in the future. Adding compost, groundcover plants, or aeration granules—preferably made of organic materials—can also soften your ground and encourage water saturation.

Overseeding after aeration is not always necessary, but it can be highly beneficial, especially for lawns with thin or patchy areas. Aeration creates an optimal environment for new grass seed germination by improving soil contact and reducing competition from thatch. If you aim to thicken your lawn, address bare spots, or introduce a new grass variety, overseeding immediately after aeration can help rejuvenate and enhance your lawn's overall health and appearance. However, whether you overseed or not depends on your specific lawn goals and condition.