Question
So my fiance and I just bought our first house and the backyard is a disaster. It's just weeds, weeds, weeds everywhere. Not only do we want to re-do the backyard to add value to our home but also to make it a more enjoyable space. In the spring, my plan is to put sod down in the middle of the yard and xeriscape around the border. My primary question is can I wait until spring to dig up all the weeds and then put down sod and xeriscape, or do i need to do take care of the weeds before winter? And do you have any suggestions on the best way to rid the yard of weeds to prepare if for other things?

Thanks!

Answer
Hello, Jacob - Well, what you have now is really already a form of xeriscape.  Your weeds have probably already gone to seed, so next year's crop, in seed-form, is cocked and ready to fire, next spring.  

The best time to kill them is when they emerge as new growth, when they are most vulnerable to chemical eradication (Spring).

IF you are concerned about aggressive toxins, then mechanical removal is also an option, and can be done any time of year.  The preferred mechanical method will be dictated by how dense the weeds are.  If the weeds are matted and knitted together, a sod-cutter may be in order. Mow first to make things easier for the sod-cutter. Use a bag to catch the clippings -- no sense spreading even MORE seeds for later!

If the weeds are spread out more, and you can see earth between the plant heads, a hoe and/or shovel may be the better way to remove them.  Either way, you will still have the seed-load for next year's crop ready to go.

If you lay sod on-top of these seeds, you'll have to fight the weeds off for some time into the future.  Once the weeds are removed mechanically, one method is to "cap" the seeds with a layer of extra top soil (say 3" or so).  If you have a flat backyard, this may cause drainage problems for you (see below).

Maybe you do a combination of the two - mechanical removal now, then hid them with a "round-up" type of chemical in the spring.  Just be careful to read and follow the product label, as these chemicals are pretty non-discriminating and will kill ALL plants -- like trees and shrubs you may want to keep.

If you do a google search on "best way to rid the yard of weeds" you'll get other helpful suggestions, too.

So, before laying the grass down, the grades are very important; runoff can cause erosion, and water logged lawns are just as bad. Poor drainage can lead diseases. You may need to fill in some areas or plan for alternative landscaping where the problem area may be too much for a lawn.  All areas that are to be covered in lawn need to be as free of debris and as smooth %26 even as possible.

Bits of scrap wood, or soft spots left buried will cause disease, or perennial low spots, later.

If nematodes are a problem in your area you'll need to fumigate the soil before planting; these are hard to deal with after the fact.  The ground needs to be fully pulverized into the smallest of particles and this is a good time to add a starter fertilizer that is high in potassium into the top 5 to 8 inches of soil.

It is also the time to add a watering system, as it is easier to dig it in now rather than after the sod is laid! Make sure your lawn area drains slightly away from the base of the house and remove any rocks, roots, and clods.

Hope it helps ~Marc