Question
I have a home I bought recently and the previous owner did not take care of the back lawn.  Many years or leaves and thatch build up has left the lawn with hundreds of bare spots, in a small yard, like 20x40.  So the grass is very very patchy.  Weeds are a slight problem, but not that bad.  I could deal with them because they help with ground cover.  I don't know what to do.  Should I try and till up hundreds of 1 foot square areas and plant grass, or rent an ariator and line seed planter, or should I till up the whole lawn, rack up the grass and reseed.  I could send pics if it would help, it's a real mess... ahhh.. help!!  thank you for your time.  

Will

Answer
I know what you mean, Will;
I left the weeds alone when we bought this house, because it was the only green in the yard.
Iffin I were you,,,,,, I would make sure there is not too much clay or sand in the soil. If the soil is the right looseness, then I would just till it all up, plant my grass ( I like to put in sod, the birds always ate all my seeds), throw some sugar, 1 pound per 250 sq.ft. and water it into a depth of 6 inches, at least, and sit back and wait for it to grow.
Start with the right consistency to the soil, and you won't have to till again.
Water deeply to make a deep root system, and you will not get thatch again.
Some weeds will probably come up, but just wait, in a few mowings the will start to die out. about half that many or less ( no matter how many weed seeds blow into your yard this summer and fall )  but they will die out again.
In 3 or 4 years, your soil will be so rich the weeds won't even bother to come up.
I put sugar each spring and fall, and use baking soda disolved in water for fungii. Works much better than chemical fungicide.
Weeds love poor soil, and won't thrive in righ soil.
Make rich soil, and the weeds will take care of themselves.
Make a healthy enviornment for lawn critters and beneficial insects, and you will have no harmful insect problem.
I put a trail of cedar barl mulch around the foundation of the house, and scatter it all over the yard when it is time for termites to swarm. No termite will go across or around cedar.
Write anytime you feel I can help.
Charlotte
PS:
My best-buddy grandson's name is will.