Mow the lawn to speed up the break down process. This is much more convenient than disposing of the grass.

Dig a small trench six to eight inches wide along the edge of the lawn. This prevents any grass from sneaking into the sunlight, and makes room for the mulch.

Install layers of cardboard directly onto the grass, then cover with compost. This will help the cardboard and grass decompose. Spray down the area with water.

Tip: you can get compost from the Yolo County Landfill. Learn more about that here.

Call a local tree trimming company to get a mountain of mulch for free! Keep in mind, you often don't get to choose the mulch type, how much or when it gets dropped. Spread the word to neighbors to help reduce the leftover mulch.

Shovel and spread out the mulch, making sure you have two to three inches across the yard. 

Allow at least three months for the cardboard to break down. In the meantime, visit a local nursery to get ideas for your next landscape. It's best to start with just a few plants at a time.