Big Florida yard with oak and tall palms accross the front. Lots of shade there. The back is mostly bahia grass with moderate coverage and one corner filled with oaks (5) and (3) palms setting in a 40' x 30' area. Grass under this cover is sparse but at least cover. I am on a limited budget maybe 2-3k and would really like to make the frontage look show worthy. How can I make this happen during this fall?
Your local extension service may be able to help you here. This link will help you to find the closest one to you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search
These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/design/professional/commercial-landscaping-info.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/design/lideas/landscape-design-problems.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/design/professional/types-of-landscape-design.htm
We were thinking of zoyzia plugs to replace the grass that is there now. We've had a hard time getting anything to grow and look nice. We began with sod, then added seed. We made the mistake of not adding enough topsoil before the sod, so there's a lot of red clay underneath. We began reading about how zoyzia is invasive, which we want in our courtyard, but we would not want it to spread outside our fence to the common areas of our community, due to the brown color in cold weather. Thank you!
This looks like a good resource for lawns in North Carolina from the North Carolina State University Extension:
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/9-lawns
Tips for laying lawn
Here are some popular shade varieties. For India, I would consult a local nursery or horticultural experts in the area that are familiar with the climate and lawn grass availability there.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/shade-tolerant-grass.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/growing-grass-shade.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/installing-sod-instructions.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/lawn-seeding-tips.htm
Lawn has mostly weeds. Instead of waiting until next fall to kill, open soil, then plant - am I wasting money and time ? Ray Pulliam
You can use, both, cool and warm season grasses: Plant the cool season grasses now, and the warm season out in Spring. This way, you can get a head start on the weeds before their season starts.
This article will help you to overseed your lawn, so that it will be full of grass instead of weeds: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/overseeding-information.htm
If you are referring to constructing an edge around the lawn with a permanent material, you can use brick, wood or synthetic bender board.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/tips-for-choosing-lawn-edging.htm
If you are referring to cutting the edge:
There are various methods possible, by hand and with power equipment.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/tools/using-a-garden-bed-edger.htm
I have periodically spread grass seed on my yard (Cincinnati, Ohio)this winter with the hope the freeze/thaw cycles would take the seed in for a sprout this spring. Is this a legitimate strategy to plant grass seed or a waste of money and best to plant grass after the weather warms up? Can I apply my spring fertilizer with weed control product this spring at the appropriate time or will this kill any chances that the grass seed I spread this winter to germinate and grow. Thank-you for any advice you might have. Mike Manheim
When to seed will be dependent on the type of grass that you intend to plant. Cool season grasses will want to be seeded in Autumn, while warm season grasses will want to be seeded by late Spring.
The fertilizers should be added, either, several weeks before seeding, or once the grass has been well established. Too much fertilizer can prevent the seed from germinating at all.
Pre-emergents should be applied with plenty of time to break down, so that they do not kill the young grass seedlings. This will be dependent on the manufacturer's instructions. Some of them are safe, specifically, for grass seed. The packaging will confirm.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/pre-emergent-herbicides.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/overseeding-information.htm
moving end of month ,small trees under brush.Virgin land after that. Will try to save as much top soil as possible. Used to north 07863 cool temp grass. THANKS IN ADVANCE. CARL
This area is what is known as a "transition zone". This means that all grasses will do well here, at certain times of the year. In order to plant properly in this are, it is necessary to make use of multiple grasses.
This document from Clemson will go into detail about the subject, and help you to plant properly: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/selecting-a-lawn-grass/