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Yes, you can DIY either core or liquid aeration for your lawn. You can use a manual core aerator or rent an automatic one. Just be sure to mark off yard obstacles like sprinkler heads before you start. Liquid aeration is easier—just hook up a garden pump sprayer, although some are able to be attached to a hose. While liquid aeration is not as laborious as core aeration, you will need to focus on an even distribution of the solution across your entire lawn for it to be effective. Of course, if you are unsure about doing both, call a pro.

Your lawn needs to recover after aeration, so make sure the work is done at some point during its peak growing season. This will depend on your region and the type of grass you have, but generally, aerate once or twice per year, either during the late spring, early summer, or early fall.

Speeding up grass seed germination is possible, but it requires quite a bit of extra work and commitment. Keeping the soil moist is key, but here are a few other tried-and-true methods for growing your new grass as quickly as possible:

• Mist grass up to eight times per day to keep the soil moist.

• Purchase a moisture-retaining seed coating for your grass seeds.

• Amend soil that is compacted or in the wrong pH range.

• Choose the right grass seed for your area’s climate and soil conditions.

• Avoid planting on windy days or during periods of extreme rain or drought.

St. Augustine is a hardy grass that’s relatively easy to grow, but it requires regular lawn maintenance to stay healthy. It’s best to keep up with a regular fertilization schedule during the growing season, plus a yearly dethatching to help it properly absorb air and moisture. Watering is also important, so be sure to water it enough to keep the soil moist.