How to Prepare Your Lawn for Bonfire Night

How to Prepare Your Lawn for Bonfire Night Last Updated: 04/11/2024

A lush lawn looks stunning all year round, but Bonfire Night can be tough on grass, potentially leaving your lawn scorched or trampled. However, with a few easy steps, you can enjoy the celebrations without sacrificing your lawn's health. Here are five key tips to protect your lawn this Bonfire Night.

1. Planning the placement of your bonfire

If you're planning to have a bonfire, place it in a safe, non-grassy area of your garden—away from your lawn, cables, and any overhanging trees. Grass near the bonfire can suffer from heat, ash, and even embers. Ideally, choose a gravel or patio area for the bonfire.

Tip: Before lighting the bonfire, double-check the area for any sleeping wildlife, like hedgehogs, to keep them safe!

2. Use grass protection mats

Grass protection mats, made from recycled rubber, are an easy way to protect your lawn from heavy foot traffic. Lightweight and easy to install, these mats will prevent the grass from turning into a muddy mess from too many footsteps and will help keep your lawn in top shape.

3. Dampen the lawn before lighting up

Lightly water your lawn about an hour before starting your bonfire. Moist grass can reduce the risk of fire embers or stray fireworks scorching the lawn. Be sure not to overwater; a waterlogged lawn can lead to soil compaction if stepped on too much.

4. Use water buckets for rocket launching

Setting off rockets from your lawn can scorch the grass, so a safe and effective alternative is to use soil-filled buckets. Fill large buckets with sand or soil and place them at least 25 meters away from spectators for safety. This setup keeps your lawn safe from burns and maintains a controlled area for launching fireworks.

5. Clean up any debris promptly

After the festivities wind down, promptly collect any leftover firework debris from your lawn. Firework casings, paper, and burnt fragments often contain chemicals that can harm the soil, so be sure to clear these quickly. Don't forget to pour water over any remaining embers to ensure they don't reignite.

Enjoy bonfire night safely!

Following these five simple tips will help keep your lawn safe and healthy while you enjoy Bonfire Night. If you do find your lawn has some damage afterward, consider using our Regener8 lawn renovation service to bring your lawn back to health with a bang!