How to prepare small backyard for turf rolls & white stone for walkway?

[uncleT]

Hello, I need some help. I have a small backyard with roughly 10sm of lawn area I think just eyeballing it. I want to install freshly rolled turf but am unsure how to prepare the lawn area.

In the last photo, there is a walkway, and I would like to remove the grass and apply some white stones so I won't need to lawn that area again, how would I go about preparing the walkway area to install the white stones?

Also, there are 3 things I'm unsure of, the two white pipes and the green round lid on the lawn. Does anyone know what that is and used for? Can I simply cover it with the turf?

Thank you,

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @uncleT. It's fantastic to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about laying turf.

I’d recommend starting by aerating the compacted soil. You can use a garden fork or an aerator to create holes in the soil, which will allow water and nutrients to reach the grass roots more effectively. After aerating, add a layer of quality topsoil to help create a good foundation for your new turf. Then, simply level it out and you’ll be ready to lay the turf rolls. Here's a helpful step-by-step guide: How to lay turf.

Regarding the walkway area where you'd like to add white stones, start by removing any grass and weeds in the area, then compact the ground using a compactor. Once the ground is firm, lay a weed mat to prevent weeds from growing up through the stones. Finally, spread the white stones evenly over the area to create your walkway.

As for the two white pipes and the green round lid, the white pipes are likely inspection outlets for your stormwater or sewer system, used for cleaning or maintenance. The larger green cover is probably owned by your local water provider and could provide access for maintenance. You definitely shouldn’t cover these pipes, especially the green one, as they may need to be accessed in case of an emergency or maintenance issue.

For the two white pipes, you could have a plumber cut them down to reduce their height so they become level with the soil in your yard. That would stop them from being a trip hazard and allow for easier mowing of the area.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell