Garden expert says this one task will create a thicker and greener lawn — and September is the perfect month to do it

As September begins, I’m noticing that my backyard is looking a bit peaky after a hot, dry summer. But, as all gardeners know, there are still jobs to be done, even though the flowers are turning and the leaves are beginning to fall.

A much-loved garden expert in the U.K., Monty Don, has revealed that even though the temperatures begin to cool, there are plenty of jobs to keep you busy in your yard.

Walensee Rolling Lawn Aerator: was $92 now $75 at Amazon

This lawn aerator can effectively resolve soil compaction issues and promote the growth of lawn roots. The manual roller will penetrate and loosen the soil and will help decompose thatch and improve the flow of air, nutrients and water to the roots.

View Deal

While we've looked at which plant seeds to sow right now for bountiful late fall harvests, it’s also a perfect time to take care of your grass, with Don declaring that September is the ideal time to aerate your lawn.

Aerating your lawn will give your patch a new lease of life and encourage it to grow thicker and greener, according to Don's September garden advice. It involves increasing the air circulation by loosening the soil by making small piercing holes in the ground.

It has huge benefits, apart from helping water to absorb and drain more effectively, it also gives your grass roots more space to grow and allows better access to much-needed nutrients.

Aside from the above, lawn aeration helps to break down layers of thatch, known as dead grass, which can suffocate your lawn.

How to aerate your lawn

What’s more, aerating your lawn isn’t tricky. "You can use a fork by working the tines into the ground at 12-inch intervals or, for a larger lawn, hire a rolling hollow tine or slitter. Ideally, this is followed by working sand into the holes they create with a stiff brush," says Don.

He then advises working over the grass with a wire rake to remove the thatch and moss, which will give your lawn more space to breathe.

And although Don mentions that your lawn may appear a little thin and lacklustre this fall, the work you do now will help rejuvenate your lawn and help it appear thicker and greener next year.

How to improve small patches of threadbare lawn

But if you want to focus on a particularly weak patch of lawn, Don recommends taking the following steps.

1. Rake away the thatch and moss.
2. Remove all weeds.
3. Scatter grass seed onto the patch.
4. Give the area a thorough water.

“The seed should germinate and grow in days. Do not mow it for at least a month, and if it looks unsightly going into winter, clip the new growth with shears,” Don concludes.

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.

More from Tom's Guide

• How to use coffee grounds as lawn fertilizer — 5 tips for a lush lawn
• 7 plant seeds to sow right now for bountiful late fall harvests
• Best gardening gloves in 2025: Tested and rated