I moved into an old house,which I adore ,but the yard..YUCK! HELP!?

The front yard isn't to bad , but the back yard is a total mess. I've cleared all the leaves and broken glass, tree limbs. I planted grass seed,but nothing has happened. I started on he side yard. Peony and tulip and some other plants are coming up. I cut back a honeysuckle bush in the front yard. Should I plant more grass seed in the back yard ? I would also like to have a small vegetable garden in the back. I also have a compose pile. Please help me with this problem. Thanks.

I moved into an old house,which I adore ,but the yard..YUCK! HELP!?
Hey Diva Mama,





It sounds like you are taking on the problems a little at a time. That is exactly what you need to do. Take pictures now, so you remember what it 'use to look like', and you will feel better.





You asked so many questions at once, it will be hard to advise you. For a garden, find a sunny spot that you can landscape around and put in some raised beds. See the mother earth site below. Compost is yet another story, but will work well with a raised bed. So, think of them arranged in a cooperative manner in your yard.





Lawn is another story. Is it sunny, shady, northern, southern, wet, sandy, clay, etc. Obviously something was wrong with the orginal lawn, so that has to be fixed. See the presentation on turfgrasses from Clemson, below.





I love honeysuckle, but you do need to keep it in check. It does sound like you are already on your way, you have momentum anyway.
Reply:Sounds like you have it altogether, yes put some more seed down.





Find a sunny spot in the back of the yard for the veggies.


You can buy those edging stones from home improvement stores that kind of fit together to make a bed for the veggies





Then a nice birdbath will give you entertainment the whole year just watching all the birds come to drink and bathe.





I would not put bird feeders up as they bring mice
Reply:Guessing you're somewhere midwest or it doesn't get hot like a down south state for very long. What's left in the yard?





After the yard is cleared as well as you can, you might try covering it in topsoil about an inch thick. This will help us start from square one. Next, I would put some CHEAP ANNUAL ryegrass down or some red or fine fescue. Might not be the best for the long haul but once these are coming up, they can set the stage for anything else you might want to grow. These grasses will come up quick and be just enough to hold a little nutrients in the soil and shade for more seeds.





After you've done this, have we got a sunny yard or a more shadey yard. A sunny yard might work better with a mix of bluegrass and tall fescue. Its ok to put more PERENNIAL ryegrass down. Its a good mixer and can sometimes go either way. The other grasses before mentioned can take more of a beating from the sun, once they come up and they need less water. The bad news is that they take awhile to come in. Once they come in, you are golden.





If its a shadey yard. Bluegrass might work as will perennial ryegrass. But this time you are going to go with a mix that might have those but more with a Red or Fine fescue. These are more shady grasses and more acid loving grasses and good for near any trees.





The best time to seed is in the fall. This doesn't mean you can TRY in the spring but when you try, make sure its a little lower on the amount you spread. Still go through the motions of laying the dirt, possibly aerating, spreading the seeds you intend to use and then finally use a fertilizer that is higher in the middle number (phospherous). This is usually found in a good "starter fertilizer". This middle number is important because it will help you establish root growth. Good root growth is key when restarting a lawn.





Would love to see pictures of what the current project is. Tell me how everything goes. I can adjust sights on your problem by what more I am told. This is a problem that might take awhile but be patient. All will be good. Would love to further help you just be patient, I'm on the other side of the world right now until February next year (09).
Reply:Congratulations on moving into your new home.





Grass seed needs to be kept moist until it starts growing and then needs watering at least once per week for 30 to 40 minutes per each section.





Another problem you might be having are birds eating your seeds. Go to a plant nursery (not a gardening center) and talk to the manager or a knowledgeable clerk that knows all about grass. Don't be shy, they are there to help you. OR call a landscaper and let them take care of your yard for you. It is worth every penny. Be sure to ask them the proper way to take care of your lawn.





A vegetable garden needs all day sun or at least six hours. Lots and lots of water without fail.





A good watering schedule each week will give you a pretty lawn and wonderful veggies.





Happy gardening to you.