[costgeek]

Our townhome rental unit has a small back yard (maybe 225 SF). Right now it has a mix of bad grass and weeds. We want a cheap quick fix to make it presentable. Do you have any suggestions?

Doing sod ourselves seems pretty cheap, but I wouldn't be opposed to something zero maintenance like pea gravel...

 

[SeniorSitizen]

It may be difficult to believe initially, but the least expensive and least maintenance long term solution is concrete. Plain Jane, stamped or other with a few elliptical and or round block outs for small shrubs around the periphery.

Pea gravel is far from zero maintenance unless you apply soil sterilizer on a regular schedule as needed.

 

[barnabas131]

Pea gravel is also very messy, if going the gravel route i would suggest a 1" flat sided stone or larger sized rounded stone. here are some townhouses i have done for back yard solutions

 

[costgeek]

I like that idea.

 

[Startingover]

Is this going to be a long term rental? If it were me I'd like pavers with a few feet on one side left bare to plant a few small, low maintainence plants or shrubs to soften the fence. (Assuming it's fenced).

If you put sod in how would you mow?