Comments on: How can I reuse or recycle bonfire ashes?

By: Tessa

Tessa — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 01:44:36 +0000

After it snows, we just sprinkle it on the steps outside instead of using salt. It gets your shoes a little dirty but I’ve never slipped on the ice when we’ve used it

By: Paula

Paula — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 20:13:59 +0000

Gardeners questiontime on radio4 were talking about this yesteday, good for the garden asmentioned above

By: mali marsh

mali marsh — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:05:08 +0000

Just when you thought ash was only rubbish. . . I guess it’s true when they say one mans rubbish is another mans treasure. . Some good ideas. .

By: IT-Green recycling

IT-Green recycling — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:09:49 +0000

Given that the ash is alkaline, it could quite easily help where soild is too acidic or plants prefer alkaline soil conditions. However, too much potash is not a bad thing and at this time of year, would not have adverse effects on plants or the compost heap as both are predominantly dormant post september/ october when temperatures drop. However, recycle them with used tealeaves, used coffee granules, used orange peel, used lemons etc and the acid in these will neutralise the alkalinity of the potash.

By: Lizzy

Lizzy — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:30:42 +0000

I did something similar-ish – wrap the ash in cloth, filter water through it (using a funnel) and you get water that is perfect for washing clothes in. I did this outside in a big plastic bowl one hot summer day when I was bored (hey, it’s productive!) and the clothes came out clean and smelling like very clean clothes. :)

By: Alice

Alice — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:44:10 +0000

It’s good for absorbing smells in general – we used to add it to a compost toilet, until someone put on ashes that were still hot, they ignited the whole thing and we had to build another toilet…

By: Stephen Waddington

Stephen Waddington — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:20:44 +0000

Use it to enrich soil or compost where alkaline is required, or as a barrier to slugs and snails.

By: Mao Ju

Mao Ju — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:19:59 +0000

Hey, You can use the bonfire ashes be manure for plant.

By: Karlie

Karlie — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:17:21 +0000

We use to put the cold ash (white) – Not the charcoal (black) that can be burned again – down the latrine at camp to combat the smell of the outhouse.

By: megan

megan — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:50:15 +0000

it keeps slugs and snails away from lettuce, just sprinkle it around every couple weeks-ish.

By: phour

phour — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:57:58 +0000

You can always make them into ink.

Just crush really fine. Wet. Dehydrate. Repeat. The goal is to saturate the amount of ash into the water. It is a bit like Sumi ink, but not nearly as black. I did a few paintings that I used old ash ink in. It is kind of fun!

Also makes a good texture in art projects, etc.

By: Tamara

Tamara — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:14:24 +0000

if you’re that into it… you could wet them and let them drip to get lye for soap making… old school…