Healing the Land
A variety of methods can be used to encourage the growth of grasses and other plants across the burned bluffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains. Here is a look at some of the possibilities.
Stabilizing Burned Slopes
Property owners should check with a landscaper or nursery to determine which of these steps are necessary for their slopes. CLEARING: Clear any debris left by the fire, taking care not to pull out plant roots that are still stabilizing the soil. If they ash is thick, remove the top layers. A light ash cover, mixed with mulch, can enrich the soil.
GRADING: Even out the soil. For minor flaws, use a steel landscape rake. Smoothing out firebreaks or bulldozer tracks may require tractor work.
NETTING: Tack netting to ground to hold soil in place while ground cover grows.
COMPACTING: Press soil down with a compactor, available at some nurseries or equipment rental companies, to prevent rain or irrigation water from washing away loose soil.
REPLANTING: Choose between to basic approaches--letting native seeds sprout or planting fire-resistant vegetation to control erosion. Consult a nursery.
Establishing Roots
Some fast-growing, ground cover recommended by Robert Perry, a professor of landscape architecture at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. These plants, which can be planted now, are fire-retardant. For grass seeding, Perry recommends Common Yarrow. Again, consult a nursery.
Hall’s Honeysuckle: Climbs to 15 feet with white flowers changing to yellow; needs severe pruning once a year to prevent undergrowth from building and becoming a fire hazard; fairly drought resistant; tolerates poor drainage.
Vinca Major (also called Common Periwinkle): Broad-based, oval, dark green glossy leaves, with lavender-blue flowers. Shear close to ground to bring on fresh new growth.
Myoporum “Southcoast”: Low-spreading shrub, medium-dark green foliage, no flowers; fast growth; low to moderate water.
Trailing Gazania: Gray-green foliage, bright yellow flowers; fast spreading; low to moderate water.
White Ice Plant: Green, fleshy, roundish leaves, small white flowers, may not need any summer water once plants are established.
Reseeding the Canyons
Aerial reseeding: Helicopters or air tankers drop grass seed onto wilderness areas. Advantage: Works best in wide-open spaces. Hydro-seeding: A soup of grass seed, mulch and water is sprayed through a hose from a tanker. Advantage: Best used around housing.
One Year After Fire Native grasses-generally fescue-and buckwheat flourish. Wildflowers and small cacti dot the landscape. Clusters of coastal sage scrub pop up along hillsides.
Three Years A highly flammable shrub, chamise, now up to 10 feet tall. Native shrubs, including lemonade berry, sage scrub and laurel sumac, cover canyons and bluffs. Trees sprout in canyons and on bluffs.
Five Years Dense green chamise, up to 15 feet tall, covers hillsides. Grasses, flowers and shrubs are fully established in canyons. Trees, including willows, eucalyptus and sycamores, are nearing full height.
