Moved into a new home last June and the front and back yards were in semi-decent shape but they need a lot of help. I wasn't able to tackle this project in the fall when I should have but I would like to attempt to correct the yard in the next 2 weeks.
Ideally I wanted to use a sod cutter and remove everything to start from scratch. I don't have the ability to to dump all the material so I'm hoping there's an alternative to grow a respectable lawn. I'm not looking for a golf course but rather a respectable green lawn. There are quite a few areas along the fence that are heavily shaded. This is what I came up with so please tell me if this would work.
1)Spraying the problem spots with RoundUp for Lawns to hopefully take care of the weeds/dandelions. Ive never used this stuff but I figure its worth a shot since I will be re-seeding the whole yard. Was planning on spraying tomorrow to get the ball rolling
2)Aerate entire yard
3)Add a layer of topsoil to entire yard and fill in uneven spots
4)Over-seeding entire yard. I would like to use Jonathon green grass but not sure which type to get. Fall Magic and Dense shade mixture. Opinions?
From the pictures, it is evident your lawn need lots of work. It has dead patches, weeds and brown turf. I think you should start with weed removal. Thereafter, spray fertilizers on problem areas. You can also aerate the lawn. Don't go for overseeding. It does not promote a healthy grass growth. Water at 5 am in the morning for faster growth. After few weeks, make sure to mow the lawn frequently. These steps will ensure a lush lawn within few weeks!