The dog days of summer can wreak havoc on a lawn. Long hot days and limited rainfall pack a potent one-two punch that can bring grass to its knees. Resilient weeds fueled by the long growing season make a late comeback. Bare patches and brown spots mottle the landscape and make the yard look terrible.

At this point, it’s easy—and understandable—to throw in the towel until next spring. As summer hurtles toward fall, what can be done for the grass now? With frosty nights just over the horizon, that lawn’s days are numbered anyway, aren’t they?

Not exactly. In fact, fall is the best time to restore a lawn’s beauty after a summer of stress. September’s cooler temperatures and increased rainfall create ideal conditions for new grass to thrive. Those bare patches are begging for help.

Aeration and overseeding give your lawn a head start on spring. Aeration pulls out cores of compacted soil to allow water, air and nutrients to penetrate deep. Using a high-quality grass seed develops a lawn that is thicker and more resilient. Simply put, lawn aeration and overseeding is the most effective combination to revitalize your lawn—and it works best in the fall.

So what are you waiting for? Resuscitate those roots, bring those blades back to life and show your lawn some love. When springtime returns, sit back, kick those shoes off and enjoy a job well done.