Fall is the perfect time of the year to prepare your lawn for the next year; it is also the best time to tackle any long-term improvements. Things such as raking out lawn debris, removing moss, feeding, and aerating will improve the quality of your lawn greatly if maintained on a yearly basis.

Grass clippings and debris can form a thick thatch on the surface of your lawn. This will affect growth of the grass and should be removed with a lawn rake. Raking will also remove moss.

If your grass growth is poor, aerate the lawn. You can do this by pushing the prongs of a fork about 15 cm (6 in) into the ground. Brush a soil improver into the holes made by the fork. Use a mixture of fine soil and sand if the ground is poorly drained. Alternatively, use peat, a peat-substitute or very fine, well-rotted compost if the ground is sandy. Reseed as necessary; fall is an excellent time for reseeding.

If your lawn is in poor condition and needs reviving, apply fall lawn food. It is imperative that you use one formulated for autumn use, as spring and summer food will contain too much nitrogen. If the grass contains a lot of moss, apply a moss killer. Use one recommended for fall; a mixture known as lawn sand, sometimes used to kill moss, contains too much nitrogen.

It is very important to tidy an uneven edge whenever it’s necessary; doing a complete job of it in fall will make it easier for busier times of the year.