Question
We just retired and bought an old "rental house" here in the San Juaquin Valley of Central California.  The tract was built on an old walnut tree orchard in the mid 60's. As a rental you can expect the grass was almost non-existant.  There is a (650 sq. ft.) place in the back where there has been NOTHING for at least two years according to the Real Estate Agent.  I have rescued the grass in a corner of the yard where I would like to build a shop now. Is it wise to try and move this healthy grass to the "dead zone" and if so how do I prep that area for the survival of the good grass?  I have a good rototiller, can rent a sod cutter, have a lot of other tools and nothing but time on my hands.

Answer
I hope that you also have water. Rent the sod cutter and set it to cut pretty deeply. This will make sure that the sod contains a high percent of healthy roots. Use your roto tiller to till the soil lightly. You want to create a good tilth for the roots to grow into but at the same time you want the finished job to sit level. Do not worry that there might be a firm bed at 3 inches below the sod. In time the grass roots will penetrate it and improve the top soil. That is what grass does best. But you will need to roll or tamp down the sod and then water the area faithfully and regularly for the first month or so. You have the right ideas. You deserve to succeed. Load the dice in your favor.