Question
We bought a house with a garden that's been severely neglected and we are in the process of trying to bring it back to life. We're newbies in this matter and are not sure how to proceed. As we live in the Prairies and have a relative cool summer, I thought you might be of assistance. Also, I believe our soil has a lot of clay underneath and my husband is trying to level the front yard and has moved a lot of the soil from the back to do this. How do we proceed to finish our yard so that we can have a healthy lawn? We were thinking of adding top soil to our yard. Any advice you can provide is greatly appreciated.
Totally at a loss in Winnipeg, MB

Answer
Make sure you allow enough time for the soil to settle (even out) or you will get a bumby lawn later. Water (or wait for rain) and then rake smooth any depressions. Repeat this as many times as you can.

Rake top of soil loose, and spread grass seeds. Then use back of rake to stamp the seeds into the soil to ensure good soil seed contact. Water frequently (and shallowly) until grass seeds germinate (sprout). This is such as watering twice daily for 10 minutes. Then gradually change to an infrequent but deep watering pattern (such as once per week for 2 hours). This is how you water an established lawn.

Fertilize in spring and fall. not in hot summers.

Good luck.