I used to live in the village or kampong when I was a kid and waste disposal was a fire pit in the backyard or anywhere convenient around the house. Most of the folks would clean their compound every evening of fallen leaves, weeds, cut branches and burn them in the pit. My mum loves to plant and she would make use of the earth from the pit like all the other people in the neighbourhood. Initially there was no pit but just a heap of dry vegetation being burnt and as the heap gets bigger the burnt vegetation and whatever that was burnt there were removed and dump under fruit trees. When a new plant is to be planted, the hole for the plant would be semi-filled with the burnt debris and top up with the original soil. When potting was to be done, earth from the burnt pile was most preferred and the burning area soon becomes a pit. So my question is whether the burned soil or the burnt vegetation is beneficial for the plant?
I'm not an expert in this area, but I'd guess that the the nutrients from the burnt vegetation fertilizes when tilled into the soil. But, it's probably something that shouldn't be overdone due to the high heat.
Well KK, I would think that the ground could be burnt so thoroughly that it would be sterile of microscopic life and the minerals changed in form...just like in a chemistry lab. Burning at such temps would also insure that there would be no parasites or other unwanted pests present in the soil. Having said that, the ashes which are left from the burnt debris would be beneficial for plants. Very beneficial. One word of caution--I have been in Kampungs there and seen that some people burn plastic bags, bottles and so forth along with the plant debris sometimes. I would not suggest that this ground be placed at the base of fruit trees nor would i think that it would be a good idea to work the soil with my hands because there could be dioxin present as a byproduct of the burning plastic at lower temperatures. So, if only paper and or plant debris is burnt, there should be no probs and the spoil ought to be good for the plants. I was just thinking, wouldn't it be something if I had walked in the very kampung where you grew up?
I've always heard that ashes were good for plants. I'm talking about ashes just from wood/vegetation and charcoal.
We burned the field trimmings (two pick-up truck loads) when we first moved here, and I piled everything in the middle of the vegetable-garden-to-be for the burning. Ashes add potash and a bit of tilth to the soil. As Frank said, it can be overdone, but the occasional addition of wood ashes is beneficial. If the burn pile is spread out, it burns fast and doesn't destroy any microbes/worms/good guys that are an inch or more down. Do it in the wintertime, and the worms gather around to warm their hands! 8)
Administrator please delete this!!! Need to add this to quote the above post... sorry for the trouble, thanks
Thanks Pianolady, I'll bear that in mind. Sojerd thanks for you info and caution. Yes the people in the Kampungs do throw in whatever the no longer wanted to be devoured by the fire. I remembered that some of them even throw tin cans in. I guess 40 plus years ago had no plastics so it was much safer except the danger of being cut by broken glass of tin cans. Thanks Cherylad, I'll bear that in mind if I want to burn for my mini-farm which I think it is very unlikely. Marlingardener thanks and you meant Pianolady right because I can't find Frank's comment here! Big Sigh!!! There is no winter here!!! My neighbour of 20 years plus is moving out and had told me that I can have all her pots and also the burnt earth from her years of burning of grass clippings and garden waste. I was wondering should I cart back some of the burnt earth for my own use or not. Now I'm convinced that it is worth the trouble to cart back as much as I can before anyone else move in Thanks for all your advice.
