Your Name wrote:
Warren, thank you so much for your timely reply. I really appreciate
your suggestion as well about seeding instead of sodding as well. I
forgot to ask about that, but you answered anyway :-)

I'm thinking more and more towards seeding instead of sodding now. Can
you please recommend a few good online resource to learn more about grass
seeding? I'm afraid I'm all thumbs when it comes to DIY projects and
they're not green either. But it is something I would like to try and
would be nice if I can be informed somewhat before I do.

Your state or county extension office's website should be your first stop.
They should have recommendations for the seed mix that's best for your
specific area, and your intended uses of your lawn. Almost certainly it'll
be a mix of varieties of seeds. You perennial grasses take longer to
establish, so expect your mix to include annual grasses as well. Don't let
that scare you even for a fall seeding.

Make sure your contractor hasn't used your lawn as a dumping ground. Far too
often they cover-up construction debris, and large rocks because it's
cheaper than hauling them off. Eventually the biodegradable debris will
result in uneven settling of the lawn, and the rocks have a way of slowly
shifting towards the surface while all that settling is going on around
them.

Get some topsoil, but keep in mind that topsoil means different things to
different people. Topsoil isn't "top-of-the-line". It's literally the soil
that's on top. But it could be really crappy soil that just happened to be
on top of where it was scraped from. Where I live we have a soil company
that not only will show you the soil they can bring you, they can explain
the uses of all the mixes in their product lines, including their compost
and mulches. They get really excited talking about soils even though your
one retail sale isn't very cost effective if they were to factor in the time
spend educating you. But they love to talk about soil. I'd buy from them
before I'd buy from the grunting guy who can't take the time to explain how
they make their soil.

Once you seed, water frequently, but not so much that you turn everything
into a muddy mess that's visibly eroding down the hill. Water enough for the
seed to stay moist during germination. Don't let it dry out. That's why fall
is so great -- Mother Nature is starting to chip in with some free water.
Next year, water infrequently -- like once a week -- put down an inch all at
once so it soaks in deeply. That'll encourage root growth.

Don't forget that lawns are expensive and labor intensive. Don't crowd the
garden beds around the lawn. A well mulched bed, even if it's empty, won't
need much more weeding than a lawn (and you can use less selective
herbicides if you choose that route, too.) A mulched bed doesn't need to be
mowed. And it doesn't need to be watered. And as you fill it with plants,
you can choose low-maintenance, drought tolerant plants. Meanwhile, you'll
be watering and mowing the adjoining lawn. If you need place for the kids to
play, that may be great. Or if you really love the look of a huge lawn,
cool. But if you want to save time and money, there are lower
cost/maintenance ways to go than lawn.

There are lots of different ideas out there on how to accomplish your goals.
Some are entirely organic. Some rely on spending lots of money on chemicals.
But most everyone would agree that starting with good soil (although how
deep is up for discussion), set a smooth grade, and the right mix of seed
for your area (which isn't always what they have at Home Depot) are your
three main considerations. Water frequently when germinating. Water
infrequently, but deeply once established. And mow higher than people who
haven't given their lawn any thought generally think. (You probably won't be
planting bent grass like a putting green, and you won't have a grounds crew
constantly maintaining it. Real-life lawns use grasses that you can't
effectively putt on.)

Your county or state extension office probably has more regional suggestions
in addition suggestions on seed mix, so starting there is probably your best
bet.

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.
What's on TV? See the new fall network schedules online:
http://www.holzemville.com/mall/tele.../fall2005.html