Replanting Advice from Pure Water Partners

As spring approaches, many landowners affected by the Holiday Farm Fire are wondering how to go about replanting in areas of their property that have burned. 

In areas where the fire burned with a light to moderate intensity, plants and shrubs will likely re-sprout on their own. For other areas where replanting is needed or desired, we recommend that landowners consider using native plants. Native plants are well-adapted for the local climate and soils, do not require as much watering as non-native plants, often have longer roots to stabilize soils, and are easier to maintain without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. There are a wide variety of native trees, shrubs, and ground cover available locally in a range of heights, shapes, and colors. It is best to choose what to plant based on the characteristics of your planting location, such as whether the soils are wet or dry, the amount of sun and wind exposure in a particular area, whether the location is near the river, etc.

For more information, check out our handout on Revegetation for suggestions on specific types of native plants at www.purewaterpartners.org (scroll down to the Naturescaping section). There are many local nurseries that specialize or carry native plants who can also help with selection and advice. We also have a Naturescaping Guide and native plant/invasive plant posters available for download at this website link.

If you have not yet signed up for a post-fire burn assessment, please visit www.purewaterpartners.org. Also watch for information on an upcoming virtual Naturescaping workshop that the Pure Water Partners are planning for late April/early May.