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The best time to apply fertilizer to your lawn is in early fall, though some climates necessitate a different schedule. In most cases, avoid fertilizing late into fall, as this opens up your yard to winter injuries and poor health (though this is a great time to kill weeds.) You should avoid early spring fertilization, as this helps the grass leaves grow, but at the expense of developing root systems. Remember to water your lawn after fertilizing to increase its effectiveness and reduce the likelihood of runoff during a rainstorm. 

One of the most effective ways to improve lawn absorption is to learn how to aerate your lawn. This is a process where you poke tiny holes all throughout it to break up tough soil and sediment, creating pathways for sunlight, water, air, and nutrients to seep into the plant’s roots. In turn, it promotes stronger root systems, making your lawn or plants less susceptible to pests and disease. Ideally, you’ll want to aerate your lawn at least once per year during the growing season—think late summer to early fall. 

If your grass is stressed from being over-trimmed, try watering it heavily and then allowing it to recover for at least two weeks before mowing again. If you notice brown patches where the grass has died off because it’s too short, you should remove the dead grass and overseed the area. Leaving dead patches can invite weeds and other problems, so if you want a totally green lawn, getting rid of dead patches should include removing the dead sections before reseeding the area.

The quickest way to kill weeds is to burn them, pour boiling water on them, or pull them out by hand. Each of these methods works instantaneously. Beyond that, using vinegar for grass works in a couple of hours, as do herbicides you can buy at the store. The slowest way to kill weeds is to starve them of nutrients and sunlight with mulch or fabric covers.