The process of a total lawn renovation is dethatching, aerating, topressing and overseeding.
All of these elements are crucial to a healthy lawn.
Dethatching - What dethatching does is scrapes the surface of your lawn, breaking up all of the organic matter made of roots, stems and runners. (Contrary to what many people think thatch is not made up of grass clippings. These are made mostly of water and decompose very quickly.) Thatch becomes evident when the unwanted organic matter cannot decompose faster than it builds up. Thatch prevents the soil underneath from taking in water, nutrients and oxygen.
Core Aeration - Core aeration is the process of pulling small cores from the lawn. The aeration de compacts the soil, allowing it to expand where the cores were taken out. The removal of small cores also allows water, nutrients and oxygen to penetrate the soil.
Topdressing - The process of spreading a thin layer of compost over the lawn. What this does is adds organic matter to the soil and conditions the soil. St. Louis has a lot of clay in the soil. This will mix with the topsoil, add nutrients and condition the soil for a better growing environment. This will also smooth out any bumps and provide a smoother lawn. This is key to maintaining good soil in the St. Louis area.
Overseeding - Overseeding is the process of spreading seed over the lawn after the previous work has been done. This will fill in any bare spots and replace any grass that doesn't come back after the summer heat. Grass has a lifespan just like anything else, and if it is not replaced it will thin out and weeds will take over.
Doing these things in the fall will give your lawn a tremendous start in the spring.
Remember, having a great lawn is not a spring, it is a marathon. Proper mowing, and fertilizer maintenance is a key part in having a great St. Louis Lawn.