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hi I know I’m at the stage of conscious incompetence but I’m trying to get my front yard ready for turf. I think it’s a bit of a clay soil. I’ve had to remove some really large trees which have caused holes in the lawn which I filled back in as best I can but it has resulted in most lawn being covered with dirt after doing that I’ve tried to get out as much as the old grass there as I can. I think it was buffalo. I’m trying to work out exactly how far do I need to go in terms of removing every single bit of grass or roots that I can in the yard? It was full of trees before so it’s full of roots and still bit of grass now even under the dirt at what point have I done enough before I can start putting on gypsum and Sandy loom and then the topsoil etc cause I think I could spend weeks there and still not get all the wood and grass out
if anyone can give me some advice on where I’m at what I need to do if I’m on the right track that’ll be much appreciated. I’ve attached sone photos. Don’t flame
me too hard at the same time. Don’t hold back so I got no idea what I’m doing
Hello @jj2617
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your lawn.
From your photo and description, it looks like you’ve put in a solid effort already clearing the space, levelling out the holes, and removing a good chunk of the old grass. The fact that it was buffalo means the roots are probably pretty tough and persistent, but you don’t necessarily need to remove every single scrap of grass or root, especially if you're planning to topdress and lay new turf. What you do want to focus on now is removing the bulk of the obvious runners, thick clumps, and especially any strong suckering roots from the trees you took out — otherwise, they might push back up through your new lawn.
Since it sounds like you're dealing with compacted clay, the next logical step is exactly what you mentioned: gypsum. Bunnings currently stocks Richgro Natural Gypsum Clay Breaker, which is ideal for breaking up heavy soil like yours. Spread it out generously (check the bag for rates — usually about 1kg per square metre), then work it in with a rake or cultivator if you can. Don’t worry about getting it perfect; just aim for reasonably even coverage.
After that, a layer of sandy loam is a great idea to help improve drainage and root growth for your turf. If you’re topping up in patches, Seasol 25L Lawn Top Dress Mix can work, even if it’s not ideal for large areas. Try to build up about 5–10cm of improved soil on top, blending it a bit with the existing clay as you go. Then level everything out and let it settle for a few days. Keep an eye out for any low spots — it’s easier to fix them now than later once turf is down.
The final prep step before laying turf is to firm the surface slightly (not compact it hard), rake it level again, and give it a good watering. You’re aiming for a soft, crumbly surface that holds shape when squeezed but doesn’t turn to mud. You can apply a starter fertiliser like Scotts Lawn Builder Starter Fertiliser just before laying the turf to give it a healthy boost.
In short: you don’t have to go to war with every single root or blade — just get it clear enough so nothing obvious competes with the new turf, treat the soil so it can actually support lawn growth, and you’ll be in great shape to roll out new grass. My best advice is to keep your watering schedule consistent especially in the early days of the lawn settling in.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
