I Started a Grass FIRE! on purpose

Now that the chickens are out in their new mobile coop, it's time to move on to the next project on the farm ... FIRE! Last year (I think it was last year, but no more than a couple of years ago) we burned our ditches for the first (or second time). This is a common practice in our neighborhood, but not something that we have done. The idea is to get them cleaned up and keep them clean! It helps keep invasive plants from coming into the pasture and allows me to more easily keep grass off the electric fence!
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[@kimwilliams4426]

Burning ditches was one of my favorite things to do in the Spring. We'd get a bit ahead of the fire with rakes and lift the grass that was matted down by Winter snowfalls. It's very gratifying and then in a week or so, the most beautiful green grass comes back.

[@robbiestewart1984]

I've found doing controlled burning interesting as you can observe fire behavior here in Australia we use trailer or 4x4 fitted slip on units consisting of 400 litre water tank, 5 or 7.5 hp fire pump and 19 mm black fire hose that way if a burn does get out of hand its easy to start the pump up and put out the escaped flank or flanks before it goes any further

[@joannewatson4040]

Where we live in the northern San Joaquin valley in CA. We have to get a burn permit from our local volunteer fire dept. then when we want to burn we have to call them and ask if it’s a burn day. If it is we can burn a “pile” of small sticks and such. But the last few years with our rain not being normal we haven’t gotten to burn at all. If you want to burn ditches you would have to get a burn permit from the Ag dept and pay for the acres you want to burn. We got lots of piles ,sometimes they sit long enough we get compost!!!!

[@TheBeginningFarmer]

I am thankful that we typically have enough rain to not have to worry about that! They will institute burn bans if we get into a severe drought (or for the day when it's really windy).

[@amyh1045]

I could listen to that fire crackle for hours!

[@TheBeginningFarmer]

I do love that sound! Also, it's so green now ... I'll have to share an update :)

[@throwback336]

Yes we burn as well. I like the idea of the wheeled string trimmers. My wife and I were just talking about that last week. Maybe it'll make it closer to the top this year.

[@TheBeginningFarmer]

We didn't for a long time, but I really think it helps ... the wheeled trimmer will hopefully end up on the farm some time, once I have the path cleared.

[@wills1110]

Nice little burn👍

[@TheBeginningFarmer]

Thanks, it seems to have worked out well :)

[@timskutnik4397]

Would it benefit your pastures to. Graze these areas and feed hay in the fall and winter months to promote better grass growth?

[@TheBeginningFarmer]

These grader ditches don't offer much grazing room. We're just trying to work with them to try and keep the weeds from coming into our pastures. One of the biggest problem weeds at the moment is the wild parsnip that can cause quite the problem if you rub agains it!

[@jaynestagg922]

@@TheBeginningFarmer I wonder if that's why welsh farmers are burning grass on our mountains in March ....from Swansea Valley. Wales in Britain.👋

[@fordferguson1731]

Cookin with crisco? Yuck! Cookin with lard is much better.

[@TheBeginningFarmer]

I thought of that same thing when I was editing the video, but that’s the expression I grew up hearing 😂 It’s lard on our farm!