Question
We bought an overgrown property for it's hidden potential. It took 2 years to clear the "jungle" We have removed trees and started the front gardens. We are now up to the grass (lack of). My property is very unleveled and root bound. I have read the other post about getting the soil tested, should I do that before evening the soil? What should I be using to even out the lawn? (Compost, top soil, peat moss) My zip code is 11741 and the property size is 175 by 126. I know we need to aerate. I still have alot of trees. I have one area that gets sun all day, but for the most part you are looking at partial sun due to the Oak tree border around the property. I figured it would be a good idea to do shade gardens where their is no sun. What is the best way to get grass? What type of seed? I have a child. The lawn will be his play area this summer. Any advice you can give? Steps by step process would be great and I figured April would be the time to do it. And yes we probably have every weed none to man>

Answer
A few quick comments on your situation, and thank you for all that detail.  It will speed things along here.

1.  Forget aerating.  The less you disturb your Soil, the better -- because you have a well established Soil structure underfoot.  Don't worry about the air down there.  Earthworms and Ants will take care of it, unless you bulldoze their houses, in which case you will have compacted Soil with no structure and few if any microbes.  I can elaborate if asked.  By the way, this also means, do not till, either.

2.  Tree removal must include removal of underground roots.  These will give you a lot of headaches and no Grass if you do not get the whole Tree out of there.  Do what it takes.  The Nitrogen consumed by a rotting old Tree root system can wreck your chances of growing Grass nearby for a LIFETIME and I AM NOT KIDDING.

3.  Hostas, Pachysandra, water features, Birdbaths, dog houses, treehouses -- don't try to grow Grass under the Trees you keep.  This just was not meant to be.  Take this on faith.  Move on.  I think you know this, here's that push you need to move in that direction.  Do what you gotta do.

4.  Children on the Grass means only one thing:  No chemicals.  They're not safe, don't use them.  But you knew that.

5.  Top Soil is a waste of time and money.  There is no legal definition of 'Top Soil'.  The nicest landscaper in the world with the best of intentions may think s/he's doing you a favor, but it's your Lawn, do it right.  Compost, Manure, even Peat Moss are what the doctor ordered here.  You have Top Soil already.  Layer it with Organic matter, mix LIGHTLY (clumps are GOOD -- ask me why!) and rake -- now you're ready to seed.

6.  Seed selection -- I don't know what kind of Garden Center you have but if you pick up some state of the art Kentucky Bluegrass, 'Supina' is made for the Shade.  It's hard to find but they do sell it at Seedland.com by mail order.  Granted, this is costly, but really, why not?  Try it on that very Sunny section you have and see how you like it.  Then watch to see how it does in the deeper Shade.  I think it's worth growing there.

7.  In the traffic areas, Tall Fescue will endure the pitterpatter of little feet.  After all, it puts up with football cleats and horse hooves, so why not babies?  For the larger adult feet, some flagstones will encourage steps through the traffic patterns.

8.  Shade gardens are lovely.  Never too early to turn a child onto the great outdoors.  Don't forget the Birdbaths and the feeders.

Thanks for writing.  Your move.

L.I.G.