Question
I realize you're not in my region but you seem pretty smart (after reading your archives) and I'm hoping that your knowledge exceeds all geographical boundries! With that said I want to warn you that I'm completely lawn, grass, flower, herb...etc. etc. ignorant yet I love working with what I currently have so I insist upon learning all that I can and doing it myself (much to my husbands dismay!).
I live in North Texas and I recently moved into my dream house in my dream neighborhood. The problem is, everyone here seems to either have an unusually large green thumb or knows someone that does (probably a landscaping company). My yard is a mess! Earlier this month I cut my finger, requiring 5 stitches, while using my first electric hedge trimmer, so I know my limitations but I'm undaunted and raring to go.
My first question is this:My yard is extremely sparse and in the back yard, mostly some type of clover covering. I'm more worried about the front yards appearance. I remember growing up and going to my great-grandmothers house and sinking into her thick saint augustine grass (sp?). I would love grass like hers! Right now I'm not sure what I've got other than a few patche of crabgrass and bare ground. What I know I have is one tree (I've been told that it's a non-bearing fruit pear tree). Under that tree is mostly bare with sparse grass. The rest of the yard is mostly brown because while the house was on the market, it wasn't watered. I've started watering every evening (not sure this is the best time, but I'm hoping you'll tell me)for about 45 minutes and the lawn is perking up a bit.
I'd really like to possibly till and sod the lawn but I have no idea when the best time of year to do that would be. In the part of Texas I live in, we do get pretty mild winters with just a few days of below freezing temperatures and that usually occurs in early to late January. We'll probably stay in the 100's to lower 90's well into the early part of October. So...is it too late to do sodding this year? Can I begin treating the yard or killing the weeds? What's the best way to do that? How do I do that?
What I've been told is that saint augustine grows in "runners". So that if I put down even a small patch and water excessively for about a week (to establish a root system) then possibly by next year it will have spread to at least cover the baren areas of my lawn. I've also been told saint augustine requires a lot of sun and my front yard gets tons of it except right under the base of that tree. Which, ironically, is where it needs it the most.
Taking into consideration that I am a complete lawn care novice I will do whatever you say (even though I don't take direction well).
I could also use some mowing advice. I mowed my lawn in one direction hoping to get that nice pattern (whatever that pattern might be)that my neighbors all seem to have, but my lawn still looks pretty pathetic. They have rich, green, lush lawns and my lawn kinda looks like the step-child of the neighborhood...embarassing really.
Just point me in the right direction and I'll be a loyal follower, trust me it couldn't get any worse! Oh yeah...and wait 'til I get to my rocky back yard!
Thank you so much in advance for all of your wisdom and ...errr patience!

Answer
Crystal:

How delightful!  I enjoyed reading your question and seeing your attitude amidst the descriptions.

You already have two of the most important traits of an avid gardener - curiosity and perception.  All of your observations are critical to solving the problems of your lawn.

Now, being a highly non-paid professional, I am going to give you some homework.  The websites below are good sources of information to gain an understanding of turf, turf care and types of turf you may want to plant.

http://www.yardcare.com
great general advice

http://www.yardcare.com/expertadvice/restoration/index.html
good for restoration advice

http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/turf/publications/staug.html
Since you are in Texas, Texas A&M is provided - excellent turf info source

http://aggie-turf.tamu.edu/answers4you/index.htm
TAMU question forum with excellent info

These URL's can be copied and pasted in the address bar of your browser.  Bookmark them for future reference.

When you have read and studied them, get back with me and we can discuss the next steps.  Pay particular attention to words on compost.  This will be the key to establishing and maintaining your lawn.  There are several good compost producers in Texas who make high quality material.

You are in a desert region of that state, if I remember my geography.  You will have to choose a summer grass, like St Aug's, Bermuda, or Centipede.  Ask your neighbors what they have planted, noting the quality of their lawn.  Then choose.

I will wait for your reply.  Best wishes.
And consider a manual clipper with the blades at the other end.  Unless you have large, long hedges, you probably will not need an electric or gas trimmer.  I use only pruners for trimming, one is a hand model.  The other is a long handled pruner for large limbs.