I have a dirt yard and don’t know what to do. Any ideas?

The ground looks rock hard. If you want to grow grass suggest a covering in cow manure and gypsum and get a proffessional in to rotary hoe it all in and breakup the soil down about 10 cm at least. You will then need a hardy pet tolerant grass. I used Sir Walter Bafalo and its been great with my two german sheperds.

Hi Tanya, The fire pit looks ok, I'd build the bricks up 3 more rows. Pull the weeds out around it. Hose down the weeds, and soak them good. The next day pull them out, you'll get the root if you put your hand as close to the ground, and pull the weed out slowly. Then they won't come back. Your yard probably is covered with sand. That's why you can't grow grass. If you are at sea level or just above, this will happen. What we did is cover it in stones, or build a platform from pallets. The water accumulates, because there is nothing to absorb the rain. Fill it in with dirt. Where I live you can go to the dump, and get free soil. Call your town hall for the number of the dump, and see if they have dirt. Contractors dump the dirt from projects that they don't need the rest.

Looks daunting but start by sections. Maybe designate a dog run on one side or a specific area for them, section off a place for entertaining with fire pit...maybe an area for flowers etc...think of the old English gardens where they section off areas. Might make it easier to start. Where the rain gathers maybe add sand to soak it up. Start by mulching or doing something decorative around the tree to make it a focal point and lessen the barren look with chairs and a table under it. Hang decorative lanterns from tree. Lay a path to the tree...Work with what you have. Around the deck soften it up by planting some type of greenery on two sides. maybe stain it so it looks fresh or an easy fix is add an outdoor rug. Take what appears to be weeds off fence and paint fence ( may not be possible) to draw eye or place planters on fence so it is decorative. Maybe add a few pieces of vertical lattice painted with planter boxes below. Since there is so much dirt and its hard, work with it... maybe just plant groups of plants in sections and leave dirt as flooring. Start simple. Good luck!

I would just put pea gravel and be done with it.

That’s a really great idea. i’m trying to do this myself, not much money in my budget for landscaping, but I’m determined and not afraid of hard work. Being southern helps too! Hehehehe.

Pea gravel for the dog area,a good stone pit sells it if you have access with a truck.They deliver for not much too.That is what we did.Spray and pull weeds.

Try a tiller and add fresh dirt using grass seed.

Well all that dirt - I see raised beds and benches around that fire pit. Outdoor spaces are so fun to create. However if you have big dogs that may not be possible. First ask yourself what you want, sketch it out and begin in stages.

Pave it or Lay artificial Grass.