We recycle but still end up with barrels with ashes and a couple of yards of ashes from the burn mound. Mostly wood and paper ashes. The dump charges at least a$60 a pick up load. We have at least 3 pick up loads. Can it be safely buried? I could use the extra soil from the hole for the compost and garden. I dont think it would effect the water table. Our pumps at least 130ft deep. How do you all deal with your garbage/ash piles?
You can use them to make lye for soap. Granted, unless you really go through some soap, you're not going to make enough to get rid of 3 loads of ashes.
I know nothing about this subject. I found this article on line though http://www.ehow.com/how_2257512_dispose-fireplace-ashes.html sounds like it is good for plants that like alkeline soil. you've got quite a lot of ash though
Actually, making soap is a great idea. But you have to make sure the stuff burned does not contain any chemicals, metals or plastics. Paper and wood only. And even paper is questionable as there is some chemical content there. Make the soap and....sell it. Simple. Use some for yourself and sell the rest. Or give it away to friends as gifts. Other options, is mix it in with animal waste and add earthworms. You may need a box made specifically for that though. The worms will make loam from it. You can use it also for making your own water filters. Wood ash only though, and make sure you know what wood as well, in case you decide to sell or give the filters away) as different woods have different filtering qualities.
I burn elm, oak, ash in the wood stove in the cold months and save those ashes separate They are used for the garden and a little in the compost. This ash is full of chemical stuff. I wouldn't trust it for soap. This is the last time I let my burn pile get out of control. We used to have a guy that would come around and dump full barrels for a small charge. THe dumps just gotten ridiculously expensive. Minimum $60 for truck load of anything. I think I'm going to dig a deep hole and bury away. Hopefully worms will break it down.
Just add it a bit of a time into a compost pile that you use for non-edible plants. If you do this on an ongoing basis, you won't end up with a stockpile of ashes.
I can see that working. Time is of the essence. I would rather get it out of sight and free up that space, the mound is on, for garden. I want to move and organize the recycle / burn area away from where it is. It looks like crap right now and sons mom is complaining and I cant see hauling ashes 20 miles to the dump. Plus my trucks rear end is making a noise. That would be a lot of weight. Especially since its gotten really wet from rain. Maybe the worms will compost it if I bury it?
They will, although it will take years and years if its one solid mass... Even if there was an area that you could spread it over and rototill it in or something... as long as its not where you will grow edible food in the future (there may not be an issue, but why chance it?)
if it is wood/paper ash... your edible food wants it!! execellent source of potash... excellent way to calm down acidic soil...spread it thinly where things grow, let the rain take it to their roots :afro:
