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The pros are the precise treatments, such as aeration and fertilization, which protect and prepare your lawn for thriving warmer months.

Experts typically recommend aerating your lawn about once per year, but your aeration frequency will depend on your soil type, lawn condition, and other factors. For instance, you should aerate annually if you have clay-heavy soil or frequent foot traffic in your backyard. However, if your soil is loose or sandy and you don't use your yard often, you can probably aerate every other year.

Several signs indicate that your lawn may require aeration. If you notice water pooling or runoff after rainfall, it suggests poor water infiltration, and aeration could help. Compacted soil may cause grass to thin out, turn yellow, or struggle to grow. Additionally, the presence of a thatch layer, which is a buildup of dead grass and debris, can indicate aeration is needed to alleviate thatch and promote healthier grass growth. Monitoring these signs can help you determine when your lawn would benefit from aeration.

No. Both processes are important for a healthy yard and work toward a similar goal, although dethatching serves a slightly different purpose. Making sure the thatch doesn’t grow too thick prevents other lawn problems, such as attracting pests if the plant decay layer gets too big. Aeration puts less strain on your lawn than dethatching, but both are of equal importance.