Question
Hi there,
  I just moved into a new home here in Northern California...the S.F. Bay Area.  There is no real lawn to speak of right now, I would say that it's about 40% grass, and the rest weeds and dirt. I want to get going on a real lawn in the next year or so when I can really spend some time on it and make it the way I want.  My question is:  Is there anything that I can do now to improve my backyard?  Is there any way to get some grass going and get rid of my dirt patches and weeds so i don't have to look at it that way for the next year or year and a half until I redo the whole backyard?  Thanks for any advice!

Sam  

Answer
Sure;
Just sow in some grass seed and put a thin cover of straw over it to hide it from the birds till it takes root and starts to grow. Don't cut all the sun off it though.
It would be best to plant a grass type that grows by individual stems, like Fescue, Bent ( I think), and bluegrass. I don't know which of those grow well there.
The grasses that spread by runners like,. Burmuda, and St. Augustine spread faster and are harder to get rid of if you want to put in a different variety later.
If your soil is loose enough, and not too sandy,and you don't want to change the elevations etc, I would have it tilled up, if needed, and go ahead and sow or sod in now.
start on a good organic program to give it a good start and insure yourself of a beautiful lawn for years to come.
Charlotte