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Hi All,
Need some advise... When I move into here.. we had artificial grass and over the years, it turn bad to worst and all the thread and nails came out and the weed sprouting out . I was thinking to put real grass in it . Any advise? Fyi I had been pulling the weed out, vinegar and also weed killer..nothing last ..also if I were to put real grass, what I need to do...do I need to remove the stone, etc underneath the artificial grass?
Hi @calccom21,
If it's gravel under the synthetic turf, you'll need to do some work to prepare the area for soil and turf. Do you know how thick the gravel is? I'd recommend you start by removing the synthetic turf, removing the block work, and digging down to see how deep the gravel is. You'll need to build up the ground with around 100mm of topsoil or try cultivating the existing soil. Cultivating the soil would involve turning it over, and you might like to hire a unit to do this in a day.
You'll find this step-by-step guide useful: How to lay turf. Now would be a great time to prepare the area, as you'll be able to lay your turf when the weather warms up.
How's the drainage in the backyard? When it rains heavily, does the water all drain away quickly, or does it become a boggy mess?
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Hi @calccom21
I am envious of the size of your yard - it's my idea of perfect!
If you want a low maintenace yard you might like to consider wood chips and native plants. You just need to prepare the soil a little. Native plants are ok with poor soil, but depending on how much vinegar and weed killer was used, it might be necessary to apply some fresh soil and native 'tonics' before planting. Ask your Bunnings horticulturalist - their advice is excellent (and no charge either!).
But the first step will be to clear the area of the fake grass and any building waste. It the rocks are concrete waste, they need to go. Over time the chemicals in concrete leach into the soil, which plants don't tolerate well and so die.
Once the ground is cleared, cover with builders plastic. That stops the light getting in and allowing weeds to grow. Then put your soil down.
Natives like very loose, rocky, sandy soil (NOT beach sand though - it's too salty!). It's cheaper to make up your own native soil mix by buying large bags of the separate components at Bunnings.
There is a great range of native ground cover plants available and they save you ever having to mow a lawn! But be wary of the tall bunched up grasses as they provide good house for rats! They look great, but space them out. If you want to bunch them up, buy a cat or two! 😉
Once the plants are in and have had a water, then you get a comfortable chair, grab a cold beer and enjoy watching your plants grow! And then start thinking about how nice a pond would look 💭 ... with a perhaps a sandstone rockery 💭 ...
Good luck! 🤗🍻
Hi @calccom21,
As long as you stick to the same type of turf rolls, then there is no issue in doing it in batches. As the weather warms up, you'll find fresh turf rolls at your local Bunnings every weekend.
Adding wood chips and growing native plants is worth considering if you're interested. It would be less maintenance than a lawn, and if that suits your lifestyle, then I can't see any reason why you couldn't go that route.
Mitchell
Hello @calccom21
I've placed a sample image below to give you an idea of what it could it look like once the turf is established. Please have a look and tell us what you think.
If you need more advice or information, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @calccom21
If you want. The design is totally up to you. Some people have the whole area with a gravel path to washing line, BBQ, work shed etc. I've seen others that have a small area of grass. Others put in a fishpond or kid's play area. Have a walk around your area and look at other garden ideas. The woodchip & natives are lower maintenance and survive better in hot weather. So if you live a busy life and don't have much time to care for your plants, then I'd go for natives with no grass to mow!
As a rule, natives don't like really wet areas so often having raised areas works well by just putting mounds of soil around the rear and putting higher trees on them. Then dot some shrubs about 1 to 2 metres in front of the trees, with ground cover and smaller shrubs in front of them! I have attached a very rough sketch of this idea of grading down the heights of the plant - I hope it makes sense to you! If you want a fishpond, planting a wall of high plants around the pond will act as a barrier to cats who want to eat your fish! I would go with Reeds and Rushes or prickly shrubs planted close together. If you choose a fishpond, you need to avoid tap water from the house tap. You need to use filtered water, as the chlorine in the water might kill them.
Here are some ideas that might help.
Click on this link. Then on the links under the photos:
https://ultimatebackyard.com.au/australian-native-garden-design/
Bunnings also has some ideas but mainly for BIG gardens!
There are more ideas here:
https://www.bhg.com.au/native-cottage-garden
The design is up to you.
I hope this helps you @calccom21
Getting a garden that fits your lifestyle is important. So do remember that while you are deciding what to do! A native garden will last forever. Fake grass gets ugly and needs to be replaced. If you go with grass, it gets delivered in rolls. Negotiate with supplier and see if they will deliver in 2 or 3 lots. But I have seen delivered grass on the footpath for a week or so ... it might depend on the time of year as to how long it can last before being laid down and watered (if you are budgeting, watering grass can add to your water bill too).
Good luck!
I hope we can see the photos of the finished back yard when it's done!
Cheers! 🤗
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