Maintain a healthy lawn

Fertilizing
Fertilizing in the late fall with a slow-release, high-nitrogen product gives your grass the boost it needs, when it needs it -- in the early spring when it starts to green up. Apply fertilizers only when the grass is dry. Follow up by watering the lawn for at least 20 minutes to allow the fertilizer to soak into the soil.

Alternatively, in the fall, top-dress your lawn with a thin layer of nutrient-rich compost.

Weed control
Although a healthy lawn is pretty much a weed-free lawn, sooner or later you'll find a stray dandelion or two or encroaching patches of crabgrass. If caught before they become a problem, hand-pulling is one of the most effective ways of controlling weeds in the lawn -- and a satisfying one that's welcome after a particularly hard day.

Aerating
To prevent the buildup of thatch (a thick layer of organic material that causes turf grass to become shallow-rooted), aerate your lawn each spring or fall using a coring tool or vertical mower. These mechanisms remove small cores of soil from the surface of the lawn. Once removed, rake the cores into the topsoil.

Read more in Homes and Gardens