What I don't understand is receiving something other than than what you ordered and paid for, then keeping it. Sounds like false advertisement, an awful misunderstanding, or you didn't receive what you paid for. Maybe I missed something in there but wanted to point out the possibility you may still have recourse. I don't see having to fight the soil for the rest of forever. Incorporating organic matter is something you will have to do anyway, but how much amending will this soil need? If you can achieve the ideal concert of clay, sand, and silt, then why not do it now? Just till in what isn't already there. I think this is one instance I would recommend tilling because the soil is new as it is. Additionally, you get to kill two birds with one stone by turning over the crappy lawn rather than having to kill it off with chemicals. The answer to your question is yes.

I bought my grass seed from a very reputable nursery - it is the exact same mix they sell to sod farms, and know this weed is just in my dirt, because it pops up in my garden when I water as well. So the seed isn't the problem. I've mowed it a few times now, and it is encouraging to see good grass mixed in with the weeds. Some weed killer, fertilizer, and more time will win the fight I think. Thanks to everyone who replied.

Hi There I am in Stoney Creek and am collecting a lot of seeds. I have cardinal climber and white cypress vines, 10 varieties of sunflowers, including a small variety with multiple heads called "paquito". I also have hyacinth bean, sweet peas (mixed colours) and purple and dark blue delphinium seeds. Double poppies and corn poppies and am intending to collect (but unsure how they will produce as yet) flying saucer morning glories. I have alot of the ordinary morning glories in purple and pink) and some chocolate morning glories. I also have thunbergia (orange) and have grown a blushing suzie - which is shades of red thunbergia, but still waiting for it to produce seed pods. I have red maltese cross. I do have all the latin names for these plants but my computer crashed and I lost the file so bear with me. Let me know if you would like any of these. Sally

Meryl had emailed me yesterday with this question. In case there are others facing similar situation here is my reply to her. I have one bed that is much the same shape as yours. The others much less so. I'll be working on that bed intensely this spring. First I wouldn't put plastic down. It will cause more problems than solve. The soil needs to breathe and it needs water. Plastic will prevent that from happening and it will breed all kinds of bugs, snakes and mosquitoes! I'm sure you don't want that on top of everything else you have to deal with. Up north some put black plastic over garden beds in the early spring to quickly warm them up. But its temporary. Down here its not necessary to do that. Our ground doesn't get that cold and warms quickly enough with out the plastic treatment. I have read that some have used black plastic to kill off grass and weeds.. but its only a temporary fix... It all comes back with that method and it looks terrible in the mean time plus the issue of bugs and snakes and mosquitos. First step is get rid of the weeds and grass. This is going to take a while. But you don't have to do it all at once. You can do it section by section as you are able. Or hire the help to get it done all at once. Either pull them or poison them or both. (grass you'll have to poison a few times... ) Then mulch. But before you mulch I would suggest you lay a layer of heavy cardboard down. Over lap edges so nothing can get any sun to it. Cut around existing plants. Wet it down really good then put your mulch down. It won't look bad, you won't see the cardboard after the mulch is in place. The cardboard will feed the worms and break down. The worm activity will soften your soil. Most of the weed seeds already there won't be able to grow from no light getting to them. Some seeds blown in afterwards will sprout but will be very easy to pull out. If you have the money for it, you can put down a nice layer of compost before the cardboard. Or you can layer it like a lasagna bed. But first you have to kill everything or it will all be a waste of time. :( Grass and weeds down here will come right up through the cardboard and the mulch. You HAVE to kill it all before you do anything else. If you don't have access to enough cardboard, you can use thick (2-3inches) of wet (really really wet) newspapers. I soaked them in a trash can of water before laying them in place. It might be May or June before you're sure everything is dead and gone. Especially the grass. By then its going to be too hot to plant anything but the most stout of plants so just let everything sit the summer. Keep watering what is established. You can start getting your plants lined up and plant out in the early fall.. This gives you the summer to think and plan and research what plants you might like. Mid Sept is usually cool enough and gives the plants plenty of time to set down good roots to make it through the winter. I have to run right now, but I will answer more later. In the mean time I would urge you to post your question to the Texas Garden Web and let others chime in. I'm sure there are many other facing the same battle you are! Your post could help a lot of other people! Think about attending our Denton Plant Swap end of April. We can get you started on some good plants that do well here. Oh here's 2 sites you might get some ideas from: http://texassuperstar.com/plants/index.html http://allthingsplants.com/thread/view/3050/Gardening-with-Texas-Native-Plants-and-Wildflowers-The-Front-Yard/?offset=0