How to turn lawn into a native garden?

[Bob9]

Hi,

Id love to turn a chunk of lawn, about 5x5m into native garden.

Any idea the easiest way to do that ? Im not sure what is essential for this to stop weeds growing back. Do we need to get ground sheets or anything else to put under it ? (This is WA, so sandy soil.)

What kind of stuff does Bunnings sell to help with this ? Maybe put stones/wood chips around the native plants ?

Thanks !

[EricL]

Hello @Bob9 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about turning your lawn into a native garden. 

Turning a 5x5m patch of lawn into a native garden in WA’s sandy soil can be an exciting project, and there are plenty of easy ways to approach it using products from Bunnings. To prevent weeds from growing back, the most effective step is to thoroughly clear the lawn by digging it out or using a product like Slasher Organic Weedkiller, which is safe for the environment. After clearing, you can lay down a layer of weed matting, available at the store, which helps block weeds while still allowing water to penetrate the soil.

For sandy soil, consider enriching it with a native plant mix or soil improver, such as Amgrow Native Potting & Planting Mix or Richgro Native Garden Mix, to support your plants' growth. Native plants thrive with good drainage, so your sandy soil is already an advantage, but a bit of organic matter will help retain nutrients and moisture.

Once the soil is prepped, you can select a variety of native plants suited to WA conditions. The store often stocks favourites like grevilleas, kangaroo paws, and bottlebrushes, all of which add colour and attract local wildlife. Surround your plants with a thick layer of mulch, like eucalyptus wood chips or coarse bark, to suppress weeds and help retain moisture. If you’d like to add stones for decorative paths or accents, the store also has options like river pebbles and crushed gravel that pair beautifully with native plants.

By following these steps, you’ll create a low-maintenance, eco-friendly space that thrives in your local environment. 

Let me call on our experienced members @prettyliving, @suequarford and @LaCasaDIY for their recommendations.

Here are some fantastic garden makeovers our Workshop members have shared.

• Front garden landscaping makeover by @Itai
   
• Front yard garden bed screening by @suequarford 
   
• Mediterranean-inspired front yard renovation by @LaCasaDIY 
   
• Front yard transformation by @prettyliving 

Here are some handy step-by-step guides:

• How to choose low-maintenance outdoor plants
   
• How to plan a garden makeover by @Adam_W 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Bob9]

Great info, thanks !

Do you have any idea when is the best time to start on this transformation in Perth, WA ? Im guessing not in Summer as newly planted plants would die in the heat ?

Thanks !

[mich1972]

Good morning @Bob9 Sounds like a great idea ! We have so many beautiful Australian Native plants. Eric has given great advice. Yes it’s getting hotter here in Perth, so if you’re looking at doing a new Garden , start it now before it gets way too hot.

Which Bunnings Store is closest to you mate ? When you have time, pop in and have a chat to the Greenlife team, they will be able to advise what you need and show you what Native plants are best. 

- Dig out and remove all of the lawn, any weeds , roots ect. 

- Add a good soil improver and a granulated wetting agent as the sandy soil will be extremely hydrophobic . 

- Once you have chosen the plants and you have placed them where they are going to grow, dig the holes and add a planting mix that’s for Australian native plants ( Osmocote Native Planting Mix ) it has no phosphorus in it so it will be safe. 

- When you are happy everything is all planted, add a layer of Mulch to help retain moisture and keep well watered. 

Plan it out, soil preparation is so important here in Perth and choose a good selection of native plants tolerant to hot WA conditions. 
I hope this helps you out. Good luck, chat to the Greenlife team and can’t wait to see how you go ! All the beautiful wildlife you will attract into your garden will be so rewarding 🌿🌿🌿😀

[JacobZ]

Hi @Bob9,

It's great to see @mich1972 has jumped in with some advice and I can't say I have much to add beyond what she's said.

Ideally, this kind of project is started at the beginning of Spring, but if you keep the watering up and give your plants regular care, there's no reason you won't be successful right now. Most native plants are fairly resilient, but extreme heat right after transplanting can definitely make things tricky.  I'd suggest following her advice about getting started as soon as possible before the weather gets too hot.

Let me know if there's anything else we can help with.

Jacob

[mich1972]

Absolutely Jacob , it’s definitely best end of Winter and Spring here in Perth. It’s certainly heating up here now !!!!! Transplant shock is definitely a problem in the hot Summer months.