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It’s best to fix lawn depressions during late spring. You want to wait until after your last frost date and when the yard is not too wet. This also allows ample time for new grass growth once you reseed.

Raking only moves soil, leaves, and debris around on the surface. Aerating your lawn addresses compacted soil. Core aeration loosens up the soil, which makes it healthier and creates more verdant grass from the richer nutrients and stronger root systems that develop. Raking only provides short-term benefits, while aeration creates higher-quality soil and grass growth in the long term. Rake or dethatch before aerating for a bigger benefit to your lawn.

The screwdriver test involves trying to push a screwdriver into your lawn. If it goes in easily, you’re likely overwatering and should cut back. If there’s moderate resistance, you have a good watering schedule and soil composition. If there’s a lot of resistance or you can’t get the screwdriver into the soil, you may need to aerate your lawn to reduce compaction and increase your watering schedule.

Lawns can be high maintenance, and therefore require regular spending if you’re not up for doing certain lawn care tasks yourself. But you can save time and money on lawn maintenance by mulching, composting, and planting species native to your area, so they keep alive with less ongoing TLC from you.