Thanks for all of your help. It looks like ive got some research To be doing regarding soil, weeding and lawns in general. I will wear safety boots when using the rotavator and will avoid areas near the large roots, and do this part by hand.

I am going to look in to soil tests etc.

The dogs will be fine, they can go in the front garden until the garden is sorted. They are never left outside for longer than ten minutes anyways unless we are with them in the garden.

It seems this is going to be more work than I first anticipated. The weeds / bits of grass have grown considerably in the last month. I will start work on it next month when my broken ankle is full healed.

Thanks.

Matt.