Question
Thank you so much for your quick response.  The backyard is about 20x40' its the entire backyard.  I live in New Jersey so we are quickly approaching snow season.  You mentioned that if we wanted grass we would have to get rid of the "nasty" stuff like the glass.  Can you please tell me how this is done?  Is it done with heavy equipment and they just scoop it out?  

I appreciate the names of the websites you sent I am looking foward to getting all kinds of inspiration from them

Thanks again
Renae Hozak

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Followup To
Question -
We have a backyard that is mostly rocks, bad dirt, and weeds.  The previous owners used the backyard mainly as a dumping ground and my husband I would like to turn it into a place for entertaining and family enjoyment.  The problem is we are not sure where to start.  We have already gotten the big items out and now we are left with hard dirt that has rocks and glass and stuff and we dont know what to do next.  Do we just lay down a barrier and then bring in new soil? If so how much?  Do we tear up whats there and leave the small bits of glass, the ton of small rocks?
Answer -
Not knowing how big an area we are talking about makes it tough for me to give you an idea as to how to handle this area.  Hard dirt, filled with glass and rocks isn't nice!  Congratulations - you have a blank canvas on which to create a beautiful backyard.

I have successfully scraped up "bad" areas into berms that I then plant on top of...maybe a possibility in your case. If you just want lawn, then, yes, you have to pick out the "nasty" stuff that may work its way up to being stepped or played on within the lawn area.  If the added dirt is going to be significant, I wouldn't worry about the rocks and such. Of course, bringing in dirt can be expensive, too.  It's a trade-off.

Also, when bringing in dirt or making berms, be careful that the rain and water that gets back there drains away from the your or your neighbor's houses.  

For ideas on what to put in you "blank canvas", try these websites:
http://landscaping.about.com/od/landscapedesignideas/
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homelandscape/home.html
http://www.diynet.com/diy/gardening

I know its a lot to throw at you, but BOY is it FUN to design this stuff!  There is also local assistance that is very helpful, if I knew where you where in the US.  Please don't hesitate to write back if you have more questions, or let me know in what part of the country you live.  Thanks!


Answer
20 x 40 is a pretty intimate size.  If you care to, it shouldn't take more than a day or two to scrape it out yourself.  A contractor would probably charge you quite a lot for an 800 square-foot area - he'd want to make it worth his while to work on such a small space.

As to how you might rid your yard of glass and scraps, I'd use a flat shovel, and just skim it across the surface.  Then use a rake to grab anything left behind.  I

F you plan on just putting in sod (in the Spring, at this point in time), just bring in about 3 to 4 inches of top-soil, then the sod right over any "junk" that you cannot rake up.

So, a rule-of-thumb estimate for topsoil is 1 cubic yard per 80 square feet, to cover 4" deep.  Therefore, you would need 10 cubic yards of topsoil to cover your 20 x 40 backyard (About 1 truck-load).  Here in Nevada, topsoil costs about $20/yard, and sod lawn runs about $0.30 a square foot, therefore to do your backyard HERE it would cost $440 plus delivery charges for materials.  

Then you've got to move it to your back yard and install it!!  (Wheel-borrows cost about $40)  My guess is if you ask a contractor for a bid, you'd be lucky to get it in for under $2000...it may be worth the "sweat equity" to save $1500, and just do it yourself. Then again, your area may have a hungry contractor with an idle work crew or teenager with an empty gas-tank!  Each area's prices differ.  Hope it helps.