How to Rejuvenate Your Lawn

A healthy lawn adds beauty, curb appeal, and functional space for families and pets. It creates a visual “breathing room” between gardens and structures.

If your lawn is looking thin or patchy, the best time to bring it back to life is early fall — ideally September through mid-October. During this period, soil is still warm enough for grass seed to germinate, while cooler air temperatures make growing conditions ideal. In Bucks County, aim to seed by October 15 — about two weeks before the chance of a hard frost.

Tools You’ll Need

• Gloves
• Leaf or Spring Rake
• Bow or Stiff Rake
• Rotary or drop spreader
• Rain gauge
• Lawn sprinkler and hose
• Mower and string trimmer
• Optional Rentals: Power rake and aerator

Step 1: Test Your Soil

• Start in August so you have time to prepare before seeding season.
• Send a soil sample to your local Penn State Cooperative Extension for a complete test, or use Jonathan Green Soil pH Test Kit.
• Based on results, apply soil conditioners such as Mag-I-Cal or lime.

Step 2: Remove Weeds

• Apply an herbicide such as Round-Up or Dr. Earth’s Final Stop.
• Mark any irrigation heads to avoid damaging them during aeration.

Step 3: Mow Short

• Cut the grass very short to prepare the lawn for renovation.

Step 4: Remove Thatch

• Use a stiff rake or power rake to pull up the thatch layer.
• Collect and compost debris with a rake or mower.

What is Thatch?

Thatch is a layer of roots, stems, and runners that builds up between soil and grass blades. A thin layer (about ¼ inch) is beneficial, but too much prevents water and nutrients from reaching the roots. Excess thatch often results from over-fertilizing or poor lawn care practices.

Step 5: Aerate

• Use a rented aerator to remove plugs of soil and thatch. This reduces compaction and allows air, water, and nutrients to reach the root zone.
• Pro tip: If you’d prefer not to use an aerator, try Jonathan Green’s Love Your Soil®, which naturally loosens compacted soil.

What is Lawn Core Aeration?

Core aeration is done using a machine with hollow tines to mechanically remove plugs or “cores” of soil and thatch from a lawn. This helps reduce soil compaction, creating a channel through which oxygen, water, and nutrients can penetrate the soil. This is an ANNUAL PROCESS for good lawn care. It is also good to do prior to reseeding a lawn because it creates pockets for seeds to fall into.

Step 6: Level Depressed Areas

• Use organic topsoil and a stiff rake to fill small low spots.
• Heavily compacted areas may require tilling

Step 7: Apply Soil Nutrients

• Mag-I-Cal
• Love Your Soil
• Lawn Fungus Control (if needed)

Step 8: Seed the Lawn

• Use a broadcast spreader to evenly apply high-quality grass seed.
• For best results, cover with EZ Straw or a seed mulch to keep moisture in and encourage germination.

Step 9: Water

• Keep the seedbed consistently moist.
• Germination takes about 14 days under proper conditions.

Step 10: First Mow

• Mow when the new grass reaches about 4 inches tall (usually 4–5 weeks after seeding).

Follow-Up Care

The Following Spring

• Apply Veri-Green Crabgrass Preventer or Corn Gluten pre-emergent.
• Begin the Jonathan Green 4-Step Program
• For an organic approach, use Corn Gluten Weed Preventer, Organic Lawn Food, and Organic Insect Control.
• Remember: Organics may allow for some weeds, but improve long-term soil and lawn health.

Next Fall

• Repeat aeration and overseeding as part of annual maintenance.
• Apply Mag-I-Cal and Winter Survival products.
• Keep fallen leaves off the lawn to avoid suffocating the grass.

General Lawn Care Tips

• Properly identify pests and diseases before treatment.
• Fungus is especially difficult to manage once established — prevention is key.
• Keep mower blades sharp.
• Maintain a mowing height of 3–4 inches for the healthiest turf.

With proper preparation this fall, you’ll enjoy a greener, healthier lawn next year — one your neighbors will envy!