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If you are xeriscaping a lawn from scratch, your best bet for preparing the lawn is to work with a xeriscaping specialist in your area. The most common first step to making the transformation, however, will be to remove the turfgrass from your lawn. The subsequent steps will often include amending the soil to support new plants and installing low-drip or drip irrigation systems.

Generally, it is not necessary to remove old mulch before applying a new layer. As organic mulch breaks down, it enriches the soil with nutrients. However, you should remove the old layer if it shows signs of fungus or disease, which can be common in moist areas, or if the total depth is already too thick. Avoid letting the total mulch depth exceed 3 inches, as this can harm plant roots. If you do remove old, disease-free mulch, it can be added to a compost pile.

A pre-emergent herbicide is the most effective way to avoid stickers growing in your yard. However, if some manage to make it through, a post-emergent herbicide is the most effective way to kill them. However, environmental concerns exist when using chemicals on a lawn. Try vinegar or baking soda applications to kill sticker plants for a more natural yet still effective method.

According to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, there are over 10,000 kinds of mushrooms, and some are harmful to both humans and animals. However, not all mushrooms are harmful—some feed on thatch and wood, which provides nutrients for grass and plants. 

But unless you’re a mushroom expert (mycologist), it can be hard to tell poisonous mushrooms from non-poisonous. So if you have kids or pets (or both), removing them is the safest route to take.