How To Firework-Proof Your Garden and Lawn Ahead of Bonfire Night

With Bonfire Night just around the corner - sparking a 234% increase in online searches over the last 3 months - many homeowners are planning displays in their own back gardens.

However, Morris Hankinson, Managing Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries based in Kent, is urging people to firework-proof their gardens and lawns to prevent damage to hedges and shrubs and protect wildlife.

1. Protect your lawn from damage

Lay old floorboards, temporary stepping stones or garden planks across the lawn to prevent soil compaction or a muddy lawn in wet weather.

If the weather is dry, give it a good soak earlier in the day, because a slightly moist lawn will be more resistant to scorch marks from the bonfire or fireworks and won’t suffer as much from foot traffic.

Use solar or LED lights to mark out paths or edges - they’ll guide visitors safely while adding a festive glow and can help to keep people off the lawn if you’d prefer.

2. Shield plants and hedges from heat and sparks

Sparks from fireworks can damage hedges and plants, especially evergreens with thinner or waxy leaves such as Cherry Laurel, Photinia, Privet, and Leylandii.

To protect them:

• Keep fireworks and bonfires well away from hedges and trees - ideally at least 3–5 metres or more if in a big enough space.

• Lightly water hedges earlier in the day if dry because damp foliage is less prone to heat damage.

• Lightly trim dry or dead material, as these can ignite more easily.

• Rake up fallen leaves and tidy around plants, hedges and trees to remove fuel for any stray sparks.

• If there is any damage to hedging or trees during the evening, don’t prune straightaway. It will be better to leave the damaged material and trim in spring when new growth appears. This allows the plant some time to recover.

3. Keep wildlife in hedges safe

Hedges are one of the most valuable habitats for garden wildlife - especially in late autumn, when many creatures use them for shelter. Bonfire Night’s noise and light can stress or displace hedgehogs, birds, frogs, and insects that rely on these areas.

To help them stay safe:

• Be careful when trimming before Bonfire night. Too much disturbance will cause wildlife distress.

• Check around hedge bases and in leaf piles for hedgehogs, nesting birds and other wildlife before setting up fireworks or lighting bonfires.

• Keep an area of the garden quiet, away from the fireworks and bonfire, so animals can find a safe space until the display is over.

• Move feeders and water dishes near those quiet corners..

4. Secure furniture and garden features

Move lightweight furniture and other garden items that could blow or be knocked into hedges or even on the bonfire. Check trellises, plant supports and anything that could easily fall and cause damage. Cover over any furniture not being used to avoid spark damage.

5. Plan your fireworks display carefully

Choose a flat, open area  in the garden which has plenty of space away from plants, hedges, trees, fences and garden buildings. If your garden is small it may be a better idea to attend a local public bonfire night instead for safety.

Keep a bucket of water or have access to a hosepipe for if water is needed urgently and at the end of the night use some water to douse any remaining embers before you go inside.

6. The morning after

In the morning scatter some bird food, mealworms, nuts and seeds near sheltered hedges and around the safest areas of the garden to help wildlife recover from the evening.

• Inspect hedges and lawns for scorch marks or left over fireworks.

• Dispose of all debris safely.

• Water plants and hedges lightly to help wash away bonfire residue.

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