Need help with ugly backyard?

Question

My backyard was destroyed by the previous owners, its slanted and sinks in the middle and is covered with weeds and old ant bumps. I want a nice smooth yard with nice grass that you can walk in barefeet in. Is it possible that I can just dump dirt on the current grass (on top of weed blocker thats a black sheet) and just lay new grass on top? Any ideas? its a nasty backyard!

Answer 1

Yes.

About 2-4" of sand at first.
Level it.
Then, about 6" of good soil.
Then, plots of grass.
Water 3 times a week.

Answer 2

I am a pro landscaper and I renovate lawns all the time. Here is the BEST way to do it:

#1 Spray the entire area with a total vegetation killer like "killz-all" or Finale. Use a pump sprayer to make it easier. These products take a good 10 days to kill the grass and weeds. Don't worry. Just make sure it doesn't rain on it for 36 hours after application.

#2 Bring in top soil. Have it delivered because you will need at least a whole truckload, maybe several if you have any leveling out to do. Use a wheelbarrow and your strong back and your friends, family and neighbors to help you. Use a steel-tooth rake (a very wide one) to get it all level. This is back-breaking work, but this is the best way to get the results you want.

#3 Bring in the sod. Again you want to have this delivered. Chances are you need a whole truckload to cover your area. Measure your total area and divide by 9 to get the square yards. One roll of sod is one square yard. As you roll the sod out, make sure that the dirt underneath is perfectly flay and level. Don't roll the sod over clumps of soil, rocks, or divets or you will have a dead spot. To cut sod, you can use a flat shovel that is sharpened. It should be razor sharp or it can become hard work. Make sure you have enough help to get this done in one day, maybe two if the sod you bought is fresh. If you leave the sod rolled up for more than 48 hours it is probably no good anymore.

Variation- seed. You can save a ton of money by seeding the area, but know that if you do this it must be very late in the summer, or you are wasting your time. After seeding spread a thick layer of straw (hay) over the whole area.

#4 Water. If you are sodding in the middle of the summer, you must water the entire lawn THREE TIMES A DAY. That was not a misprint. And even then some sod will look dingy after a few days. But as long as you keep it wet at all times in the summer, it will pop back nicely in the fall.

#5 Do NOT mow the lawn for at least 14 days. And even then you want to try to lift a corner to make sure it rooted in. Once you begin cutting you should always cut at a height of 3.5 inches. This may look a little high at first, but you won't mind once you notice that your lawn is greener than the rest of your neighbors.

#6 Keep leaves off in the fall every year.

#7 Treat the lawn in the early spring with a product that has a pre-emergent herbicide. This will keep weeds out for most of the year.

#8 Treat for lawn kiling bugs early summer.

#9 Fertilize in the fall.

Answer 3

First you need to level the yard, if the grass is bad scrape it up as you level the yard, you can do it with a shovel but it will take forever, but it costs to rent a small bulldozer type thing. you can dump junk dirt on the yard and level it, then water to let it settle and see if you need to add more dirt, then put landscape fabric down and at least 3 inches of good topsoil, then lay sod. sod isnt cheap, so ask what kind you really need for your area, shady , sunny, dry , wet, etc. you are still looking at a few thousand dollars if that lawn is very large, we laid a patio with sand and the shaped cement pavers, it is four by six feet and cost us over 200 dollars.

Answer 4

we had a very similar problem..you should 1st treat for insects or whatever (we had grubs),do a soil test to see if you need fertalizer--get dirt to even out the ground then if you need fertilizer use that. then seed then water the crap out of it. we used mid quality seed because we needed so much of it. scotts is the best but expensive as all get out-- we had sand when we started now we have awesome grass . it took a whole seaon though. i wouldnt do the plastic thing sounds like a waste of time and energy. we use weed and feed to controll weeds. good luck ---water is the key!! it only cost us a few hundred bucks if you can wait a season i would try it yourself if you dont want to hire landscappers....its not that difficult.

Answer 5

The physics of soils dictate that there would be water stoppage between ANY change in soil type. Do NOT put a different soil atop another. Instead, try evaluating your yard to determine if all of it will be used for baseball or soccer. If not, consider some native or adapted plants. If you MUST have a lawn there, contact your local Extension Agent.

Answer 6

Yes it is possible, then you can level the backyard at the same time. Have fun with the landscaping.

Answer 7

get a roller Teller to get rid of the bumps and get some grass plain it and trees and flower , get a yard magazine so you get some ideals.

Answer 8

Have it landscaped. If the yard is uneven then then you sould have it landscaped then kill the weeds, then sod it for fastest results.

Answer 9

hire a gardner im 14 i can cut ur lawn for 30 bucks if it really is messy

Answer 10

Yes you can follow that plan, but you may want to roll your lawn first to even it out.