Remember, remember, the 5th of November, but what does your lawn look like on the 6th?
Each year, many of us combine practicality and party by burning unwanted garden waste on bonfires, while celebrating with fireworks, sparklers and toffee apples on Bonfire Night.
Here at GreenThumb, we know that your lovely lawn remains the platform for family fun all year round, but the last thing you want following the festivities is a sad-looking singed lawn.
That’s why we’ve put together some tips to help minimise damage caused to lawns by bonfires - so you can focus on wrapping up warm and living your life on your lawn, surrounded by family and friends.
Invest in a fire pit or brazier
Most garden centres offer these items as a way of controlling how we burn garden waste. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can even have some stylish options to complement your landscaping.
Avoid scorching the lawn
When setting off rockets, use a stable bucket filled with soil as a launch pad. It is important that you don’t launch rockets directly from your lawn, as this will leave scorch marks on the grass.
When it comes to choosing fireworks, opting for old-fashioned favourites such as the wall or fence-mounted Catherine Wheel can reduce the risk of scorching or singeing your lawn.
Beware of rogue rockets
No one wants spent rockets landing in their garden and you may spot some on the lawn. Burnt-out rockets can contain nasty and hazardous chemicals that can damage your lawn if left too long, so once the party is over, make sure these are quickly removed.
Think about your bonfire display
Considering the location of your bonfire and what you put on it can minimise the impact of fire on your garden. If you have the option, choose a location for your bonfire away from your lawn. For example, you may have a disused vegetable patch that you can use instead.
Stick to burning dry organic garden matter and don’t include too many leaves, which can cause excessive smoke. Don’t forget to check for hidden hedgehogs before lighting!
Repairing a burnt lawn
In the worst-case scenario, if you do find you have damage to your lawn caused by a bonfire or fireworks - don’t panic; you will be able to get your lawn as good as new by undertaking a lawn makeover on the affected area.
You can make a start by raking ash back into the soil to add in nutrients (gardening anorak fact - ash also keeps the slugs at bay!) but after this you will need to call in the experts.
Have you got any top tips for a bonfire night party? Tell us your ideas in the comments section, below.