I'm doing our backyard "from scratch." The area that I will seed is approximately 1250 square feet, with rock and other future "plant sites" located around.

The yard has tons of weeds, since we moved into the house last year and I was waiting for a year to get a lot of the settling out of the way, etc. What's the best way to attack this? I've been constanly mowing the weeds to keep them short and manageable. Should I rototill and get rid of them that way? Someone also suggested using RoundUp or something like that, but I have fears that it would affect the seed. Also, I will need to bring in some good top soil. How much is standard (how many inches)? Then I'm guessing I should just seed it, fertilize it, press it down, and keep it moist.

Any suggestions would be great. Obviously, I'm looking for the best results without having to pull my hair out...

Thanks!

Rototilling is good, however I do not think it will rid the soil of weed seeds etc. and I believe you will see another harvest of weeds. I would also suggest a good hefty dose of "Roundup" to kill them off. Roundup should not hurt any seeding. After the weeds have been killed off then remove the remnants or light rototilling. Bring in a good 3" of top soil and level off. I would then suggest rolling the soil to get it level then rough it up just before sowing the seed. Keep from drying out, may need watering 2 or 3 times a day depending where you live and what time of year. Good luck, the easy way out of course is to lay sod on the top soil. Cheers mate!

you could use Roundup, it is good to go in 10 days after you spray. Or use 24D or a spray weed killer first, tilling will just make all the weeds happy, kill 'em first. The I would put down about 2" of good top soil which will also be full of weed seed. Spray again after it is down. Sounds like a night mare but you are talking a couple weeks. Prior to putting your seed down freeze it at least over night, the hulls will break and it will sprout quicker. Water early am and again at night, try not to let it dry out until it sprouts. you will just have to forget weeds until next spring once your grass is going good--just keep mowing often once it is high enough and the good grass will choke out a bunch of the weeds.
Source, old lady that has done a bunch of yards, oh yeah gypsum is great for new yards and green grass and cheap.

well, it depends on the type of grass you have and if you have already planted the seed. if you have not, I would go and buy "killz all" at your local nursery. Treat the weeds and this will kill them and has no residual to prevent new green growth.....THE ENTIRE AREA YOU TREAT WILL BE BROWN....DON'T PANIC, again there is no residual to prevent new growth. Killing them would take about a full week to dye away. From there you are going to have to till the grass out, spread your new seed evenly and then WATER, WATER, WATER and then when you think you have watered enough.....WATER AGAIN!!!! Also, once you have a lawn of healthy growth, it will help to control the weeds as well. Also, you might even want to collect some of the weeds and take them to your local nursery for advice......I am working with Johnson grass right now and that stuff is the worst!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

this is what i did when putting in my lawn TILL/RAKE/ ADD
TOPSOIL IF NEEDED/USE A DROP SPREADER /USE STARTER FERTILIZER/RAKE IN /TOP WITH STRAW/KEEP WATERED IN GOOD. do not know were you live but that's how i did mine in Ohio fall is the best time it will take several seasons to get great looking lawn i have mine professionally treated 3-4 times a year