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To prepare your lawn for core aeration, water it the day before you aerate. (Alternatively, you can wait until it rains and aerate the following day.) Aerating after watering or a rainy day will make the process easier since you can penetrate moist soil better than dry soil. You should also flag your sprinklers so that you don’t accidentally hit them while aerating. If you have a lot of thatch buildup in your yard, you might need to dethatch your lawn before aerating as well.

The fastest way to rid your yard of pesky stickers or burs is to go mechanical on them with a lawn mower or garden rake. Use a lawnmower with a bagger attachment to avoid spreading the seeds around and causing a bigger issue. If you choose to rake the stickers off the plants, be sure to dispose of them properly. Avoid putting them in with the composting and check local guidelines for disposing of lawn waste.

Some states have bans on disposing of yard waste in plastic bags in landfills. Yard waste takes up space in landfills and releases methane gas when disposed of improperly. It's best to repurpose it naturally to benefit your garden and the environment.

Small amounts of geese are actually good for the environment. They help spread seeds and lead to more plant growth, but they’re often an invasive species, particularly Canadian geese. This means a small gaggle can quickly grow into a level that litters your lawn with bald patches and excrement.