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How to establish lawn in a clay backyard?

Hello Everyone! I'm sure this gets asked a lot and there may be tons of articles online, but I'd like to know proper steps of converting my clay backyard into lawn. I'm doing this on a budget so wish to keep the costs as low as possible.

I've posted a photo of my backyard; currently it's chock full of weeds and construction debris, so I've called a guy to slash the weeds and scrape the top layer off the soil. After that I want to take things into my own hands and install a lawn by myself. My plan is to mix in some gypsum and compost using a garden fork in the "cleaned" clay, let it sit for a few weeks, then lay lawn mats over it. Also, by lawn I mean real Kikuyu grass, not artificial turf.

Now I'm not sure if I'm missing any step, or if anything can be done better, or if there's something I need to look out for while doing these steps. Please share your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks a lot in advance!!

Akshay

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Planting and Growing

Lawn

Comments

EricL

Hello @AkshayT

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about setting up your lawn.

It sounds like you're on the right track with your plan to convert your clay backyard into Kikuyu grass! Before mixing gypsum and compost into the soil, it’s essential to ensure that all weeds are fully removed, as any remaining roots or seeds could cause regrowth. Since you've already had the weeds slashed, you might want to consider using a non-toxic weed killer or manually removing any remaining weeds to ensure a clean start.

Mixing gypsum and compost is a great idea because gypsum helps improve soil structure by breaking down compacted clay, while compost adds organic matter to improve drainage and nutrient levels. Aim for a depth of about 5-10 cm of compost, and after mixing, water the area lightly to help incorporate the materials into the soil. Giving the soil a few weeks to settle will further condition it and ensure better results.

Once the soil has settled, make sure the ground is levelled and graded properly. This will help create a slight slope (around 1-2%) away from any structures to prevent water pooling. You can use a rake or a board to level the area and eliminate any low spots.

Once the soil is ready, laying Kikuyu turf rolls is an excellent choice for quick coverage. Stagger the seams when laying the rolls, like you would with bricks, to prevent gaps. Make sure the turf edges are tightly butted up to avoid air pockets, ensuring good root contact with the soil.

After laying the turf, water it thoroughly and keep the soil moist (but not waterlogged) for the first few weeks to help the grass establish strong roots. Kikuyu grass is relatively hardy but thrives with consistent watering, especially during dry spells. Once it's established, you can reduce the watering frequency.

You might want to apply a slow-release fertiliser designed for lawns once your grass is growing to encourage healthy growth, but avoid over-fertilising, as Kikuyu grass can grow too thick if overfed.

Since Kikuyu grass grows quickly, regular mowing will be necessary, particularly during warmer months. When you mow for the first time, keep the lawn a little higher (around 3-4 cm) to help the grass establish strong roots. Once it's well-rooted, you can gradually lower the cutting height to around 2.5 cm.

It’s great that you're doing this on a budget! Just remember that proper soil preparation and consistent care are key to a successful lawn. Best of luck with your backyard transformation!

For your backyard transformation, here are some current Bunnings products that will help you prepare the soil and lay your Kikuyu grass:

Gypsum - Yates Gypsum Clay Breaker – This is a great product to improve soil structure in clay soils by breaking up compacted ground. It's an affordable and organic option that helps with aeration and drainage.
Compost - Bunnings Organic Compost – This is a cost-effective compost option that adds valuable organic matter to the soil, improving fertility and helping to retain moisture.
Lawn Mats (Turf) - Kikuyu Turf Roll – Bunnings often stocks fresh rolls of Kikuyu turf, which is a hardy and drought-tolerant grass perfect for Australian climates. Check your local store for availability and the best quality rolls.
Fertiliser - Lawn Builder 4kg Scotts Starter Slow Release Lawn Fertiliser– May be safely used on all lawn types before or after seeding or laying turf. Feeds for 3 months without burning when directions are followed.
Watering - Gardena Classic Garden Sprinkler System – This is ideal for evenly watering your new turf after installation. A sprinkler system can help you water your new lawn thoroughly, particularly during dry spells.
Anti-weed - Yates Weed 'n' Feed – If any weeds resurface after you've removed them, this product can help control weeds without harming the new grass.
Soil Levelling - Bunnings Topsoil – If you need to top off your soil for even grading, this is an affordable option to help create a smooth, level surface before laying your turf.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

AkshayT

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/48712#Comment_48712

Thanks a lot for the detailed reply Eric! Excited to go ahead with my project; will certainly share the progress and results as I go along.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/86446#Comment_86446

Hi @AkshayT,

I would consider a bulk delivery of quality top soil. When we razed our garden for our backyard studio build and were left with mostly clay, we got top soil delivered and it was incredible how quickly and how well the new garden got established. Quality soil is the key.

Jason

AkshayT

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108589#Comment_108589

Thanks Jason! Would you recommend any specific type of soil, or simply "topsoil" would do the trick?

Reason for asking is that I'm scouring websites for bulk soil, and those guys have different varieties. Some have recommended adding compost first topsoil later, some have a special "turf blend", etc. I could pinch my pocket for a good quality soil if that's absolutely necessary, or could simply use basic topsoil if that also works. Keen to hear your thoughts!

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121580#Comment_121580

Hi @AkshayT,

I'd recommend going with Mother Earth 1m3 Lawn Mix. That would be suitable for laying your new lawn directly onto and is all that is necessary. However, I'd grab a couple of bags of Rooster Booster and distribute that over the lawn mix prior to laying the turf. That will provide some nutrients for your new lawn.

If you were to use bulk soil instead of a bulk lawn mix, you would need to improve it by adding compost.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

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