Summer has passed and the lawn actually faired pretty well this season. An above average amount of rain and a cool summer overall helped many homeowners keep lawns healthy and green.

• Lawn Repair - Thatch: If your lawn feels very soft and spongy when you walk across it chances are you have too much thatch present. Thatch is simply dead grass that forms a mat below the green, growing blades. Too much thatch can make it hard for the lawn to absorb moisture from watering as well as fertilizer, and can eventually kill off the entire lawn. The easiest way to get rid of thatch is to rent a vertical mower that has blades that will cut through the thatch and leave it on the surface where it can be raked away. If you have a small lawn you can also use a thatching rake and accomplish the same task by hand. Before starting either process, mow the lawn about 1 inch shorter than you ordinarily would to make the job easier.
  
  
• Lawn Repair - Dead Spots: We all have dead, brown patches of grass in the yard. They are certainly unsightly, but easy to repair. Using a spade, remove the spot and loosen the soil beneath. If the dead area is due to over-fertilizing or pet urine, douse the area with fresh water. Add a bit of compost to bring the spot back tot he level of the lawn and add seed. You can also patch the spot with a piece of sod cut to fit.
  
  
• Lawn Repair - Aerating: Helping your lawn breathe properly will keep it healthier longer and keep other maintenance tasks to a minimum. If your soil is mostly clay, or if your yard sees a lot of foot traffic, or water pools on it when watered you should probably consider aerating it. Before beginning, moisten the ground. A rented aerator is easiest and most efficient. It will remove small plugs of soil from your yard, which you will later rake over to break apart. The holes that remain will help oxygen flow and aid in watering and fertilizing.

 However, you may still be facing some problems or damaged areas due to over-fertilizing, pet urine, or just neglect during a busy summer. Listed below are a few of the most common repairs needed for lawns and how to get the job done.
Fall is the best time to take on make major lawn repairs. When spring arrives, you won't even notice the damaged areas with the new growth quickly taking over.