I chose 2 spots in the yard that had awful, compacted soil and consequently shitty growth anyway. My reasoning being if I was going to so work somewhere may as well make it somewhere that needed it anyway.

I initially choked the lawn with black plastic, then tilled it a bit, scattered compost and seeds atop. I ringed it in non specific mulch from the local tree lopers, as many trees release growth inhibiting chemicals that might have helped slow the encroaching grass.

After it was established I stopped watering it, and it's been left alone. I'll probably need to spread some more compost, and we haven't had a drought yet where it will likely need life support to save that cycle of seeds.

I mostly wanted to see how low effort unmanaged patches of garden replacing lawn could be. Turns out pretty, if you don't mind scruffiness.