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Try the tool test first. A screwdriver or a similarly long, thin tool will work best, as spades and shovels are too big. If something still seems off despite the screwdriver smoothly going into the soil, look for other signs that you need aeration, like thinning grass, discolored areas, and puddles forming on your lawn after light rain. This indicates poor drainage because of too many areas being compacted.

First, you should figure out whether you have dormant or dead grass. Dead grass won’t come back, so you’ll have to reseed if you’re hoping for a lush lawn. However, grass can go dormant if it hasn’t received enough water or if temperatures are too cold. If it’s still decently warm outside, you can revive dormant grass by watering it. But if it’s mid-January in New England, for example, you’ll need to wait until the weather warms up again. If you want to keep grass green in winter, consider a grass like Kentucky bluegrass, which maintains its color year-round.

When your sod is new, you should keep an eye on it to prevent dehydration. As new sod plants its roots into the soil beneath it, it can easily get dehydrated and start to turn brown. Keeping a consistent watering schedule for your new sod will help prevent this issue and will help it thrive as it roots into your yard.

Once your sod is about six weeks old, you can start to establish a regular lawn maintenance routine, complete with mowing, edging, and fertilizing.  

Carpetgrass is a low-maintenance grass requiring little fertilization that thrives in subprime growing conditions. However, regular mowing is necessary to avoid the growth of unsightly seed stalks, and you may have to water it frequently to prevent drying out the soil. That includes watering the grass over dry winters to help keep it healthy, and it may start dying out in particularly cold climates where it grows poorly. Carpetgrass can also be vulnerable to some types of turf fungus, so it’s important not to overthatch.