How to Restore Grass to Burn Piles?

[Suburban Plowboy]

I have three burn areas. I want to reduce to two. When I burn debris, the grass takes forever to come back. Is there a solution?

 

[jyoutz]

Seeding

 

[Jstpssng]

Spread a bale of hay. I've found there is enough seed in them so that you won't need to supplement seed but you can if you want. You also could just add some annual rye if you want it to green up fast.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

Thanks. Sadly, the grass here is bahia. You think if I toss bahia seed out there it will grow on the ashes?

 

[ning]

I spread some soil last spring and then a bunch of old wildflower seeds found in the garden shed. Had to put a fence around it so the chickens wouldn't use it for their dust bath like they've been doing for the past ten years...
Lots of stuff grew in it but I'm going to need to throw some sort of grass seed on it still when we get water again.

 

[ning]

Thanks. Sadly, the grass here is bahia. You think if I toss bahia seed out there it will grow on the ashes?

I'd put at least a bit of soil down; burn piles really sterilize the area and destroy the soil.

 

[Jrasband]

Collect as much of the ash as you can from the burn site. Spread it all around the burn site on the grass, your grass will thank you very much. After that you can spread seed and ideally mulch on top with straw/hay. If you use a rock rake and rake the seeds in they will germinate better.

Absolutely no need to put soil down. I burn multiple piles every year, grass is always greener where the burn pile was. You have to spread the ash and put seed down for quick recovery.

 

[bmaverick]

I have three burn areas. I want to reduce to two. When I burn debris, the grass takes forever to come back. Is there a solution?

toss out some weeds there. The grass in FL will over take the weeds in no time. Clover is a nice option to try. It will grow there.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

I have all sorts of rotten hay I could put out there.

 

[bmaverick]

I have all sorts of rotten hay I could put out there.

Then it will decompose placing nutrients there later for grass to grow.