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brosopholes

New Desert Homeowner

Brosopholes
10 years ago

My parents are moving and I am taking over the house. The lawn is in need of major rework and from what I've read on my own - I'm lost. This is gonna be a wall of information, but thanks to whomever can look at it!

**Background Info**

Album: http://imgur.com/a/GZdGN#0

I live in Mesa, Arizona - so Zone 8b
My Budget is around 2 - 3 thousand dollars but I want to do most work by myself.
The back yard is about 50 ft x 60 ft (or about 330 yds^2)
No animals

**The Yard**

The yard is mostly dry dirt and rock (i.e. no soil)(http://imgur.com/a/GZdGN#2)
There is a weed and anthill problem (http://imgur.com/a/GZdGN#7)
I want to install sprinklers into the back yard.
The cement wall created rocky/sandy soil and a giant lump of cement
(http://imgur.com/a/GZdGN#4) (http://imgur.com/a/GZdGN#5)(http://imgur.com/a/GZdGN#6)
Nothing really grows.
(http://imgur.com/a/GZdGN#2) (http://imgur.com/a/GZdGN#9)(http://imgur.com/a/GZdGN#13)

**The Goal**

Idea 1: a nice short green lawn with a fire pit/seating are for all of us to hang outside.
(http://img2-2.timeinc.net/toh/images/handbook/sept07/firepit-0907-x.jpg)

Idea 2: Medium sized grass just for looking at.(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lOudN79Il3Y/TDQKc6hCHsI/AAAAAAAAoYw/KaU1dzWPCPA/s320/IMG_9089.JPG)

My Plan

My original idea was to rent a tiller and till the entire yard. Then I would install a simple sprinkler system hooked up to a timer. After that I would mix some nutrient rich soil and mulch into the ground and pack it down. Then I would plant some Bermuda grass over the yard and finally cover with hay.

I found out this may be a bad idea because tilling makes the ground uneven and wont settle for 3 years. The other problem is Bermuda grass dies in winter so I suppose I have to over seed it with rye?

Please give some advice as to what I should do. Full album here: (http://imgur.com/a/GZdGN#0)

Here is a link that might be useful: Backyard Pictures

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