Expert: Ronald B Persaud - 9/23/2009

Question
i've just moved into a house with a fair sized lawn, (130m square) the previous tenant made a real mess of it! its very uneven, mainly thatch and weeds and i fear i've got to get rid and start again. i have little to no money to throw at it and need to know the best way to get rid of the old grass so i can turn it, level it and seed for next year. i've read about salt and bleach but these seem to be a permanent solution, leaving the soil unusable afterwards. is black polythene going to be the best way or is there another way of getting back to bare earth?

thanks, Keith

Answer
130m square means either a square with sides measuring 130m. (a very big piece of real estate); or an area of 130 square metres (I think that is how you guys spell that word). I will assume the latter. (1400 sq.ft. approx.)
You have all your "ducks in a row". Turn it, level it and seed it. You do have enough time to do it -  by hand if you are so inclined. You can turn it with a spade or fork but turn each chunk of soil completely over and dig to a depth of a full foot. Weeds and weed seeds will be buried to that depth. I have no idea of how moist the soil will be but if it is too dry you will have to use a machine (rototiller). Levelling is a matter of breaking up large clods and raking over the whole area to form a seed bed.
One caution; depending upon how long the land is 'opened up' and the prevailing weather, weeds will sprout. You will need to take comprehensive care of these almost as they emerge; either by pulling or chemical.