How to make a fire pit sitting area in my back yard?

Donna Caraway
by Donna Caraway

My back yard has a lot of roots from trees and grass won't grow well. Am thinking about making a fire pit setting area. What would be the best way to do it?

  4 answers
  • Nicki Petruzzella Kerns Nicki Petruzzella Kerns on Aug 08, 2018

    My first thought is to dig up the roots but gardening isn't my forte; sorry! I'd think about building a small raised deck and put your fire pit on that, as long as the area underneath the deck where the fire pit will be is reinforced for extra support.

  • Eileen McTiernan Eileen McTiernan on Aug 08, 2018

    We took out a pool and converted the area to a fire pit using gravel as a fireproof ground cover. Don't let the photo fool you -- grass is hard to grow in this sandy soil -- it looks better hear due to lots of rain. Here is a photo showing the area as you come down steps from the old pool deck:

  • Tali Tali on Aug 08, 2018

    Hi Donna, Are you asking how to grow grass when there are tree roots? or, how to make a fire pit sitting area in an area where there are lots of roots? if the later, I would start by spreading plastic (you can line it with newspaper first) to get rid of the grass you do have, if that appeals to you. it would take about a couple of weeks to get rid of it. Afterwards, I would make sure to keep some ground cover so the grass doesn't come back. One thing to consider, is having decorative rocks and/or gravel about 3-5 feet from the fire pit so if wood fell out of the fire pit (it does happen), it lands on a non-flammable area. I also think there is a minimum distance the fire pit must be away from the house, check with your home insurance policy. Before you take any advice, please do your due diligence and/or consult with a professional.


    Good luck!

  • Donna Caraway Donna Caraway on Aug 08, 2018

    Thank you. I was planning on putting black plastic down first. Do you mean putting newspaper under plastic? Would said be a bad idea instead of gravel? Where the roots are gras won't grow, that's why I thought a firpit setting area would make my back yard look better. With colored beach chairs around fire pit. Thanks for your help.