I bought my house 16 years ago. Not only has the lawn always been 90% weeds, 10% "grass", it's sloped, and I've recently noticed spots where the top soil is completely eroded down to bare clay and pebbles. There's also a large Bradford pear (I know, so far so good.... I'll tackle that problem when I get to it 😮‍💨) that shades the lawn for the better part of the day.

As much as I'd like to buy cheap seed, throw it down, and hope for the best, I feel like I should approach it strategically and do my research.

I know I'll need to spread top soil and add amendments prior to seeding to have any chance at all of success, but what do I do about the weeds? Do I need to used herbicide prior? Do I proceed with seeding and in subsequent seasons use a weed and feed product? Do I till? IIf anyone's done this before I'd love to hear your experience and any do's and donts. I'm in the Piedmont of NC and the area is about 2500sq ft if that should matter.