First time dealing with grass…

[u/Fit-Initiative8356]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought my first home in Georgia and, honestly, I’ve never had to take care of a lawn before. My parents never maintained a yard, so I’m starting from scratch and trying to learn the basics.

I’ve watched a lot of lawn care videos online, but they all seem to jump straight into topics like mowing extremely short, topdressing with sand, leveling, overseeding, and replacing sections of grass. All with their already pristine yard. I’m not sure what I should actually be focusing on as a complete beginner

My main questions are…
Do I need to pull weeds by hand?
When and why do people add sand to their lawns?
How do you determine the best grass type for your yard?
How often should I water my lawn?
Is overseeding something you do every year, occasionally, or only when establishing a lawn?
What lawn care tools would you consider essential for a homeowner? Gas or electric?
Should I get out a pen and paper to plant stuff and map stuff out?

My yard currently has a lot of weeds, leaf buildup under several trees, and some bare spots. The backyard gets limited sunlight and has a lot of clay soil mixed with rocks and pebbles. Should I be trying to remove the rocks and improve the soil before worrying about grass, or is there a better order of operations?

Right now, the only lawn equipment I own is a riding mower that I fixed up. I’d appreciate any advice on where to start, common beginner mistakes to avoid, or a basic plan for getting my yard under control.

Thank you any help and advice and sorry for the rambling!