How do you deal with stubborn weeds

[bananagrams8]

My backyard is being taken over by weeds and there tough spots, the ground is uneven and it's pretty bumpy. is it good to dump a few inches of topsoil? because i'm planning to plant a few seeds. But with all of the weeds around, is tilling the best way to go?

What's easier for a large, uneven yard with stubborn weeds? Is it hauling in a ton of soil to level it, or renting a bigger walk behind tiller to prep it for seeding?

Any advice? thanks!

 

[EarthMagnet]

I'd lean towards a combination of strategies, but tilling might be the better starting point.
If you don't address the existing weeds first, they'll likely just grow right through your new soil.
It would be helpful to rent a walk-behind tiller to tackle the weeds and unevenness, and you might need to go over it a couple of times!
After tilling, you can then assess how much topsoil you still need for leveling and enriching the soil for your seeds.

 

[ZeroGrassHero]

If you dump topsoil without dealing with the weeds first, they'll just punch right through. Tilling can help prep the ground, but it might also stir up more weed seeds.

Easiest move is to clear or kill the worst weeds, then lightly till to even it out before adding topsoil where needed. Way faster than hauling a ton of dirt alone.

Are you aiming to seed right away or fix the yard up long-term?

 

[PretzellLogic]

@bananagrams8 I think the easiest way is a combination of both methods. First, kill the existing weeds by spraying them or covering them with a tarp for a couple of weeks to solarize them.
Then, add a few inches of topsoil to level out the bumpy areas. Finally, use the tiller to lightly till the new topsoil and the very top layer of your old soil together.
This will give your new seeds a perfect bed to grow in without bringing up a ton of weed seeds from deep in the ground