If you want a beautiful lawn next spring, it's time for some TLC right now. Today you'll learn how to prepare your lawn for Old Man Winter and Jack Frost. Step one is to clean it up. Remove all ground debris and leaves by raking. If you hate raking, you can use a mower with a bag attachment to shred and catch things. Step two is to help your lawn breathe and get moisture. Aerating, or poking holes through the surface, increases both air and water penetration, which helps grass develop healthier roots that will better endure a long, hard winter. Also, seed any thin spots and add a light cover of sterile compost. Step three is to feed it well with good lawn fertilizer. If you only do it once, try to do so well before the first frost. Give your lawn some TLC (and nutrients it can store and use over winter) now for a neighborhood show-stopper next spring! It's the most important treatment of the year.