I need new lawn help.

 Hello everyone!

I've never planted a lawn before and I'm getting overwhelmed at the
information at Home Depot's books and online. I have questions that I
need answered before I get started.  I don't have a big budget, I
don't have time, I don't want to do it and I want to make my wife
happy so please help me!  I need to lay this out and maybe seed it in
a weekend--maybe two--SOON!

I have to install two 15' x 15' raised lawn beds in my front yard.
Because I don't want to deal with weeds or grading, I'm just going to
install the boxes avove the ground, thrown some plastic on the base
and level the borders and the soil. them--there, instant level grade!
They'll be bordered by landscaping timbers or RR ties.  Like this...

+---------------+         +------------------+
 |                | rocks |                    |
 |     grass   |          |    more         |   :-)  <--happy wife!!
 |                |          |    grass
|                                                           _o,
+---------------+         +------------------+      ....husband in the
desert --->  ==( ((O7O
 even more rocks...retaining wall -->
____________________________
|              house                         |

My questions are...

1.  I have soil in my backyard that I can use but it has weed seeds
all over it. How do I treat it so that I don't get the weeds? Is there
some kind of super poison?? My wife made the suggestion to let the
weeds grow and then pick them out--I think there's a better way but
what?

2. can I use potting soil? I know it's a lot but at least it would be
weed free?  Is there another type of lawn soil cheaper than potting
soil?
3. I'm in Southern Ca. what grass seeds do you recommend?
4. Despite my limited level or patience and budget, I can't use sod--
the cost is prohibitive to my interests.  Is what I want to do
realistic?

Please help! ( it just needs to be done)

...help?

thanks.

Alex

 

Indoor - outdoor carpeting.

 

I mentioned it to her and it's too expensive. I have to grow grass...

 
   Build Your boxes,,throw dirt in,tamp,throw more,,spread some grass
seed that does well in Your area and in the specific amount of
sunlight it will get..Add mild starter fertilizer recommended on the
bag of seed and water as stated on the bag.New lawns are often covered
with straw or possibly other material that water will penetrate,,I
think covering keeps birds from picking up all Yer seed and keeps
direct sunlight off new shoots. Weeding might be a pain for a while I
guess but filling the boxes with special soil might break the bank.
Other weed seeds will blow in anyway so Ya might as well get some
practice right from the get-go.
  Regular watering is mandatory for new grass but ask around about how
much to use in a raised box unless Your sure excess will drain if
overdone..
   After Your grass does well be prepared to learn about other stuff
like flowers and shrubs or even veggies,,people can be tricky and I
just ca'nt see raising two sections of grass,,if it was Me I'd be
thinking there's an alterior motive,,like eventually You might be
adding shrubs,flowers and backbreaking boulders for effect!!
  Dean

 Thanks, Dean...


But how do you get dirt that doesn't have weed seeds all over it?
Should I treat it first? How??


very perceptive of you. I'm sure there is... but that's ok.. I just
want to get this part right because I'm sure I'll get into it once I
have started. I just need to get through the basics.  I'm exagerating
mostly, my wife is being wonderful about this project and if I never
do it, she'll be ok. That's precisely why I need to get started,
because she is so nice about things...

Anyway, thanks for your advice Dean.