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Front lawn - remove turf first or just cover up?

PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
in Problem solving
After this year's heat and drought I'm thinking about replacing my front lawn (about 3x4m) with a range of drought tolerant grasses surrounded by bark.  Would it be better to remove all the turf first, or could I just remove the areas where I intend to plant and then cover the rest of the lawn with weed suppressing membrane and top with bark?  Any thoughts welcome please.  Thank you. (Yes, it's brown bin day today - I've got more waiting to go in!)


Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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Posts

  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    It depends on how much energy and time you have.  I would plant in holes and kill the existing grass with  a light blocker.  Say newspaper, and cover that with bark.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Thank you very much @bede, I've just spread 750 litres of winter mulch on the borders in my back garden so my energy is depleted at the moment!  That's very helpful, thank you.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Plantminded I think that is going to look amazing!
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited September 2022
    I measure my compost heap by cubic meters, 1 x 3 x ca 0.5.  I have 2 bays.  750 litres is half my annual production, which goes nowhere.  About a third goes on the front lawn, the rest just a little mulch for my favourite rhodies.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited September 2022

    I think the only problem with leaving the turf in  situ is the height difference. You'll need to build up the other areas which might take a lot of bark🙂
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Thank you very much for your replies @bede, @GardenerSuze and @Fairygirl. It’s difficult to tell from the photo @Fairygirl but the beds are actually a bit higher than the lawn, l’ve banked the bark up on the borders, creating a “gully” to keep it off the lawn.  I’m interested to know whether you used a membrane or other material under your gravel garden and whether you are glad you removed your lawn - I’m still contemplating the idea!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you don't have a great height difference, I wouldn't bother with lifting the turf then. Saves the hard work of doing it too! :)
    I had some pond liner left over, and various bits and pieces - old compost bags etc, so I used those under the gravel, with lots of holes punched in them. I didn't have a large area to cover, as the lawn was surrounded by existing gravel paths, and the pond took up some space. Probably about the same area as you have there. 
    I like having the gravelled area. I've added quite a lot of plants in the space, so there's plenty of stuff to look at, and the boundaries provide a backdrop, with interest at other times of year. We don't have the problem of grass drying out here, and I still have the front lawn, but I don't regret doing it.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Great, thank you @Fairygirl, that’s very helpful!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I took this yesterday afternoon. Apart from the bit of gravel to the left, which is the path to the back gate, that was all grass a couple of years ago. It's surprising how quickly things can mature and change.


    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    That’s really lovely @Fairygirl.  You’ve created a real haven!  What is the stunning grass in the centre? That will have to go on my list!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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