Depending on the size of the lot and your budget I would rent, hire, or borrow a tractor with a bush hog. Make multiple passes to cut it up good. Maybe spray it with Roundup too.

Is it needed to help with erosion?

The tall grass is on a downward hill that gets fairly steep. I would say the area is about 125 feet by 70 feet. But near the top there is at least 20 feet or so that isnt that steep and is "useable" as a continuation of backyard. So I want to just cut down the overgrowth and try to get regular grass growing there as the ground cover. Right now, by the end of the season the hill just looks like a mess with the tall growth.

I wouldnt feel very safe using a tractor on the hill. Are there any suggestions?

If it is too steep for a tractor, and too large to do with a weed whacker, I don't know....maybe one of the walk behind bush hog type mower that are advertised on TV...I think the brand is DR or Troybilt, but not sure. I don't know if anyone rents them or not. Do you know anyone with some goats you can borrow or rent? Stake some hungry goats out on that hill and they will take care of it in no time.

Is it in town or in the country? Since the grass is dead, if you have the space, and it is legal in your area, you can burn it. Just be careful!

Burning is out of the question...but that sure owuld be fun to do.

So I did a search for a troybilt bush hog type machine and I found this...

http://www.amazon.com/Troy-Bilt-25A-258J766-22-Inch-Trimmer-Mower/dp/B0001AU34M

Is this what you are talking about as far as a walk behind bush hog? I will have to see if anyone rents these things...but it looks to me that it might do the job if I can find one.

Thanks so much. That looks like it will surely do the job. Hopefully someone around here rents those.

I appreciate the help!!