Need advice on where to start with my yard.

Hello!

I'm tasked with the job of turning my terrible looking back yard into something semi decent but the issue is I know nothing about gardening, lawns, weeds, soil etc. I used to have a decent little lawn but a bunch of builders ruined it when they did some work to my house.

I've uploaded a little movie to Youtube to show the awful condition its in. You can see its all lumps and humps, holes etc and lots of weeds. I think I may have to scrape the top layer off and put in better soil, but I don't know, or maybe I can get away with levelling it and reseeding it? I don't plan to put down turf although this might be an option if more knowledgeable people advise it.

Any ways, please have a look at my video and give me a few tips to start on. I would like this project to be done by the start of September :(

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF8l9Q9alS4"]YouTube- back yard[/nomedia]

thanks.

P.

 

I agree with Marley. Once you've got the grass down you can see where the hollows are, then you came bring the level up with good quality topsoil then seed on top of it, gently raking it in. Dont forget to water every day until the grass is established. As it's a fairly small area it shouldn't be too arduous.:thumb:

Chris

 

Hmm I wasn't expecting people to say that lol. Seems pretty simple. Would you recommend I Rotavate it and spray a weed killer first?

 

Thanks guys! I told you I know nothing. I was under the impression that rotovating it would just make it easier to flatten. Right..time to cut the grass down.

 

I think you're looking for problems Pariah. No need to start rotovating etc.
Do as the others suggested - clean up that area and cut the grass, then you can see what you have. Leveling humps, bumps and getting rid of weeds in grass is easy.
Tidy it up and come back with your pics if you need further suggestions.

 

Err...

Have you considered moving?

(sorry!)