Question
Dear Expert:  In Georgia, we are allowed to burn backyard debris such as wood, leaves, pine cones, and grass clippings.  I have a 6 ft diameter spot where I burned all my debris, it has some ash.  If i wanted to grow grass (Bermuda Grass) in that spot, can I just rake the ashes into the soil?  or must all of the ash come out completely?  Can I lay top soil on top of the ash?

Regards,
Robert--


Answer
Hi Robert, Bermuda should be fine.  If you need to raise the area, add your soil and then till the top 6 inches together.  You want to avoid "layers" of different soil types.  If you don't need the top soil, just till the ash into your existing soil.  Check your pH. Make sure it's around 6 to 6.5. You could sod now, but the soil temperature needs to be above 60 degrees to plant bermuda from seed.  Jim