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Aerating a lawn before seeding it or adding new grass seed is a smart decision. By loosening up compact soil and allowing it to take in more air and water, your seeds will have an easier time establishing roots and growing. Aerating beforehand also means your seeds will have better contact with the soil, so more of your seeds have a chance to germinate. If you do plan to aerate your lawn before seeding, aerate about two days before you plan to start seeding.

Aeration can level your lawn if the issue is minor soil compaction, so it can help smooth things out if your yard is bumpy from foot traffic or vehicle traffic. However, it won’t slope your yard. If you have small areas where water seems to pool after precipitation, aeration could help, but larger issues with improperly sloped lawns and problems leading to foundation leaks or structural damage will require more comprehensive solutions.

St. Augustine is a hardy grass that’s relatively easy to grow, but it requires regular lawn maintenance to stay healthy. It’s best to keep up with a regular fertilization schedule during the growing season, plus a yearly dethatching to help it properly absorb air and moisture. Watering is also important, so be sure to water it enough to keep the soil moist.

Water your yard a little more deeply after a drought for about two weeks (while still avoiding overwatering). Continue to water in the early morning hours before 10 a.m. You'll also want to invest in some high-quality fertilizer to get more nutrients to your roots and help them grow back stronger and quicker. Look up your grass and soil type, or do a soil test, to see what type of fertilizer you need.