Question
I'm a new homeowner in CT with a lousy backyard. The furthest left corner (approx. 20' X 45', and at an incline from the rest of the yard) is soil so dry, it's sand. No grass can grow there, only spotty weeds. I've checked for grubs, and found ZERO. Should this be tilled up in the Spring, dug up and replaced, or just covered with topsoil and grow on top of it? Thanks for your advice!

Answer
Sounds like fun, Marc!  I'm not kidding here.  You're starting with a clean slate, and you can only get better.  Anything is possible.

Most important thing I have to ask you:  What's the sun situation back there?

I ask because you say "No grass can grow there".  Is that because of the bad soil, or because of the bad sun?

Grass will grow anywhere as long as there's sun.

As for the chip on your shoulder about Grubs: Grubs get a bad rap.  They are not a problem most of the time - in fact, they are GOOD for your lawn, because they are eaten with gusto by Robins and other wild birds, squirrels, etc.  There are enough natural predators in your soil to keep grubs under control... unless you start upsetting the balance of Nature and wipe out those predators.

Do you have a tree in that "soil so dry" sandbed area, or is it just an incline with some weeds?

Zero grubs is a sign of something.  Hopefully not residual Grub Killer.  If that's the problem, only time will fix that.  But there is a lot of action you can take in the meantime.

Please advise about the sun situation.