There are times when just reseeding or adding sod to a lawn is not enough. This is particularly true after a major home remodeling project, such as a room addition. In those cases, the front or back yard has been torn apart by heavy equipment, leaving you no choice but to start anew.

The good news is that a lawn restoration project can make a dramatic difference in your landscaping design. You'll have a chance to fix all the imperfections, such as an uneven back yard or poor soil.

Before you start, remember that:

• Depending on your climate, fall may be the best time to tackle lawn landscaping.
• Improvements in your back yard may take a month or two, but major change might take a growing season or two.
• Consulting a professional for at least some of the landscaping work, especially where specialized equipment and expertise is needed, can be very helpful

Remove Thatch

The first step is to remove thatch buildup in areas where there is grass. This type of lawn landscaping project is best done when the lawn is flourishing, not when it is stressed during a hot summer. This is done by:

• Mowing the back and front yard down to about one-inch high,
• Raking the back and front yard to loosen thatch, or
• Using a power rake to loosen thatch.

Be careful of taking off too much thatch. You don't want to create large holes in the yard.

Add Dirt and Level Yard

As you prepare your new lawn landscaping, look around for places where the yard is not level. Fill in with fresh topsoil and compost and then rake.

Time to Reseed or Add Sod

Once the yard is looking fresh and level, it's time to grow grass. The two main ways to do this is by using grass seed or adding sod. Seed is less costly, but it takes longer and can look spotty if not planted evenly.

Get Rid of Weeds

Look around your existing grass for signs of weeds, which are frequent problems in many back and front yards. The long-term solution is to grow grass that is so strong and thick that it crowds out weeds. In the short-term, however, try these landscaping tips:

• Dig out weeds with a hoe
• Use weed killers to target problem areas

A Healthy Lawn

Once your lawn is a lush green, remember to test your soil and adjust the pH level. Aerating your lawn will help grass roots to grow. Regular fertilization of your front and back yard four times per year in spring, early summer, early fall, and around Thanksgiving will also make sure that you have a beautiful lawn.