Before you start fertilizing, there are some simple things you need to do to get your lawn ready for the spring and summer months – and you can do them right now.

Raking is always the first task of spring lawn care – even though you raked all the leaves in the fall. But the reason you rake in the spring is to remove excess thatch which impedes grass growth. More than 1/2 inch of thatch is considered excessive so a deep raking is needed every spring.

Checking for compaction is important especially in high traffic areas. A sure sign of compacted soil is the presence of moss. The remedy is lawn aeration and aerators are readily available for rent at many home improvement stores.

If you see moss, it not only means there’s compaction, it also is a signal of acidity in your soil. Lawn grasses prefer a neutral pH. This can be remedied (slowly but surely) by liming your soil.