Can I change a yard into a garden?

[Scully]

I have a large concrete backyard which I would like to change into a garden and turf, other than breaking up the concrete, is there any other way this can be achieved?

[incitatus]

Not easily. You can buy topsoil and lay it on top, then turf over, but this will require constant care as it will retain too little water in summer and too much in winter. Best bet is to hire a pneumatic drill and get deconcreting

[Claud]

you could always try decking halfway and cover the concrete in shingles.