Question
My family and I have recently moved to the Raleigh NC area and we have a slight problem with our side yard.  There had been a gravel driveway on that spot many years ago, and upon tilling the ground to sow grass seed, I discovered that the gravel has over the years been buried almost three inches into the ground. There is vegetation growing on top of much of the area altough it is mostly moss and small patches of what looks like bermuda grass.  I am not looking for a perfect award winnng lawn, but I would at the very least like to know if there is anything short of bringing in a pile of expensive topsoil that I can do to get any grass to grow at all in this area?  We have alot of granite in this area, and it looks like that may be the kind of gravel that it is. The soil is very moist and black, so I'm sure it is good ground, but there is soooooo much gravel that I'm afraid any seeding efforts would be futile.  Would fescue or more bermuda or anything work?   Thank You,  Richard.

Answer
I am quite sure that if you left it to itself 'something' will grow there. that 'something' is likely to be a grass. That grass is likely to be a type that "rough and tough" (like John Wayne). Common bermuda and common St. Augustine are what I recommend; you do not want the fine varieties which will take much care. I believe that it will be easier to obtain the bermuda seed rather than the St. Augustine seed.
You can grow a good lawn on three inches of soil with a gravel base but you will have to manage watering carefully to do so. Establish a good drought resistant grass and fertilise it sparingly when the moisture is right and I am sure that you will be pleased with the result.
Remove all stones and other objects close to the surface which can be picked up by a lawn mower.