If you want advice on lawns, go to r/lawncare.
Plant a tree in it to shift the focal point.
You can drive yourself crazy trying to eliminate all the different weeds in the grass or just mow regularly and embrace them. Keeping it neatly cut will make the weeds less noticeable. Monoculture lawns are unnatural, so they demand more care. People used to have clover or native grass and were fine without heavy herbicides and pesticides.
Tate said:
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It’s likely your lawn needs some fertilizer. Those dark green, taller spots indicate areas where animals have urinated, showing the benefits of fertilization. Fertilize in the spring to help maintain health during the hot summer, but avoid fertilizing in summer. Other tasks like aerating and adding compost are useful, but fertilizer gives the best bang for your buck and time.
@Peyton
Did I miss my fertilization window until next year?
Hadi said:
@Peyton
Did I miss my fertilization window until next year?
You can apply soybean meal anytime. It’s a natural fertilizer made from soybean production. You can buy it at farm supply stores, typically in 50 lb bags, and it can be spread by hand.
I just moved into this house, and my yard is a mess of weeds and patchy grass. As a first-time homeowner with little knowledge of yard care, what can I do to eliminate weeds and have healthier, greener grass without spending too much time or money?
@Hadi
While you wait for advice, raise your mower blade by one notch and mow more often. This way, the grass and weeds will be the same height, making them less noticeable.
@Hadi
If you want a weed-free lawn, you will need to treat it. Hiring a lawn service won’t cost too much for weed control and fertilization. You can handle the watering and mowing yourself, but it will require regular watering.
Edit: It may take a full season for your lawn to look significantly better.
-First-time homeowner learning to care for a yard.
-Wants to eliminate weeds.
-Avoid high costs.
-Not be tied to yard work 24/7.
-Posted in r/landscaping, not r/lawncare.
-Desires healthy green grass.
-Offers friendly tips as a fellow homeowner.
-Suggests planting natives for a low-cost solution with no mowing or chemicals.
-Suggests low commitment after initial work.
-Provides pre-made designs for an easy approach.
-Addresses 5 out of 6 concerns raised by OP.
Your reply is as unnecessary as you are. Enjoy your day as you deserve.
@Ash
Yes, I’m in the USA. You can DIY too, but it might take a lot of work. It’s about your time and cost. For a medium-sized lawn, treatment costs about $40. It’s fairly affordable for a size like that.
@Corbin
Interesting. I’ve seen quotes for around $800 a year just for granular weed/feed applications for an average household.
@Hadi
Consider removing your grass and planting native plants. They require less upkeep (water/mowing). Depending on the weed type, you can pick them out or let natives outcompete them over time. After removing the grass, heavy watering for the first year makes a significant difference, and now my plants thrive without further watering.
Initial grass removal can be time-consuming but free if you do it yourself and have a shovel and wheelbarrow. Local places often take organic material for free. While plant costs can add up, check local resources for sales. Our conservation district holds yearly sales; $80 gets you a 4x10 space of plants. In the long run, you might save on gas, chemicals, mower upkeep, and water.
Good luck!
That makes sense. Consider using selective herbicides that target weeds without harming your grass. Another simple trick to enhance your lawn is edging—buy a cheap metal edger from a store like Lowe’s to create a defined space between your curb and grass, which can also be applied to any flower beds.
Mow regularly, water when needed, and apply a reputable fertilizer according to the provided program on the packaging. As your lawn improves, use a weed control product following the guidelines on the bag. While it’s tough to achieve a golf course quality lawn, getting a decent one is manageable.
Well, first things first: mow the lawn; it will already look better. Otherwise, consider overseeding in the fall to help grass outcompete the weeds. Getting into a battle with weeds may lead you to chemicals, so post-emergent herbicides can help your grass thrive.
First, what do you want? A lawn? All right.
It’s a process.
There’s a wealth of information on r/lawncare.
Check out The Lawn Care Nut, Jake the Lawn Kid, and Ryan Knorr on YouTube.
Start slowly or dive into a full renovation. Just take it step by step. Grass is resilient; if you mess up, don’t worry—grass can recover. Good luck! 
“How can I improve my lawn without making it a full-time job?”
Hire a landscaper…
But do get rid of those weeds.