My backyard is overgrown. What should I do to get the yard in a manageable state?

I'm going to hack it down, but I'm thinking in terms of getting it manageable for the long-term. I imagine tilling it, perhaps treating it for weeds somehow. Anything kind of systematic approach to such a task would be appreciated. That is, if there's something like "the three basics of gardening," I'd like to hear it. Thanks.

My backyard is overgrown. What should I do to get the yard in a manageable state?
Go to the livestock auction %26amp; buy a Young goat.Stake him out thru til mid-summer.Then take him back to the auction.You'll get more than you paid for her%26amp; while she is clearing the brush,she's fertilizing.Keeoing her til mid summer gives most of the weeds seed stock a chance to sprout(goats love sprouts) %26amp; goats are in bigger demand during BBQ season
Reply:ROUNDUP IT ALL. IN A FEW DAYS IT WILL ALL BE DEAD. REMOVE ALL VEGITATION AND THEN IN 6 WEEKS YOU CAN REPLANT IT WITH ANYTHING YOU NEED. WAIT THE SIX WEEKS B-4 REPLANTING!
Reply:Have you considered fire?
Reply:First, till up all of the ground, removing the top layer of vegetation and dirt. Even out the ground so that it's ready for resodding. Do not apply any chemicals at this point, because anything that would prevent future weeds from germinating would also keep new grass from growing as well.





Second, sod with whatever grass that you prefer and that is suggested for your climate and weather. If you can find a drought-resistant grass that you like, use that.





Third, fertilize immediately with a "weed and feed" that is suggested for the type of grass that you chose. Make sure that you read the label! Weedkillers that are made for bahia or bermuda will kill St. Augustine. If you're not sure, ask someone knowledgable. Put your lawn on a regular schedule for future applications of the "weed and feed" that works for you.





That should give you a nice lawn where you had wilderness before.
Reply:Check out your local rental place to see what they have for your size yard. I have 2 acres and have had to fight back the wilderness several times. Having the right equipment to do the job makes a huge difference. We use a tractor with a blade to cut the earth and regrade. Definitely need to do something like tilling or you will be fighting it every summer here on out. Don't worry about taking too much out. You can alway plant something in it's place. If its ugly or diseased it goes. (Burn or dispose of the diseases parts or you'll have other plants suffering.) Decide on which trees you are going to cut. Don't think about the space you have now between the trunks -think of how it'll look in 5-10 years. Mulch and stepstones make it easy to enjoy quickly after the work is done.





Good luck!
Reply:Read this post from a few days ago.





http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...





Also this:





http://doyourownlawncare.wordpress.com/2...





http://doyourownlawncare.wordpress.com/2...





http://doyourownlawncare.wordpress.com/2...





All these should get you on the right path





Good Luck
Reply:I just cleared off an area of about 1 acre last spring and planted St. Augustine. I tilled up all the ground with a rented tiller and then went through and removed all the weeds. Those darn weeds leave a lot of seeds in the ground though and can grow with just about zero water.





About August or so the weeds starting coming back. I think the only way is to till it and then you have to spot pull the weeds as they start to grow back. I would guess if you sprayed the whole lot with round-up you would just spend a ton of money and then probably only the weeds would be able to grow back for some time.





Goats do work though, they'll even eat small trees down to a nub. Of course they also eat roses and Texas privet and even the rope I used as a lanyard.
Reply:I would outsource it. Once they have brought it in a manageable state, I would take over and maintain it myself. Otherwise it is a lot of work.