6 Ways to Reuse Ash From Your Fire Pit

Looking for ways to clean up your fire pit for the fall season and reuse your ash? Look no further!....PROCEED.FULL.READING>>>

Gardener hand sprinkling wood burn ash from small garden shovel between lettuce herbs for non-toxic organic insect repellent on salad in vegetable garden, dehydrating insects.

Safely handle and store ash by waiting for it to cool, wearing gloves, and using a metal container with a tight lid to avoid fire risks.

Use ash to amend soil and provide nutrients to plants, but check soil pH levels before adding ash.

Reuse ash in compost to make it less acidic and benefit plants, or save it to put out future fires and add traction to snowy sidewalks.

Fire pits are often the main event in a backyard. They’re a wonderful place for socializing and making s’mores with friends and family in the cooler months, but what do you do with the ash after the fire dies down?

There will come a time when you’ll need to get rid of the ash in your fire pit, and when that moment comes, there are useful places to utilize ash instead of tossing it in the trash. From garden beds to snowy sidewalks, discover some helpful ways to reuse ash.

Gather Ash Safely
Ash left over from a bonfire the night beofre

The first step to take is making sure the ashes are no longer hot because otherwise, they might catch fire. The safest way to handle ash is to assume it’s still hot and take precautions. How long your ash stays warm depends on how long the fire was roaring. Generally, wait two to three days before transferring it to a container. Don’t transfer ash on a windy day because wind spreads ash, potentially causing fires if the embers are still hot.

Wear gloves and scoop the ash into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid to avoid being burned. Keep the metal ash container outside to keep your home safe from fire risk. Do not place ash in a plastic bag or paper box if a few embers are still hot.

Amend Soil With Ash
Ash left over from a bonfire

Ash contains high amounts of calcium, potassium, and micronutrients like copper and zinc. So, amending — adding something to — your soil with ash helps plants that love these nutrients. Plants that flower and fruit significantly benefit from potassium. Sprinkle ⅕ ounce of ash per square yard before raking or forking it into the ground so it’s all mixed.

However, ash also raises soil pH, so check your soil’s pH levels before adding ash. (You can do this with an at-home pH level test kit from a local garden center).
Reuse in Your Compost
Shovel in the soil digging a hole

Add ash to your compost! Composting is reusing organic matter (eggshells, fruit peels, coffee grounds, and more) to boost your soil. The scraps enrich the soil and give back as a natural fertilizer.

Adding ash to your compost makes it less acidic, so if you have plants that enjoy acidic soil, adding ash to your compost will not benefit your plants. Soil under a pH of 7.0 can benefit from ash. Plants that enjoy some ash in their compost are lettuce, lavender, and garlic.

Keep for the Next Fire
wood burning in a fire

Once you collect the ash and place it into a metal container, keep it on hand for the next bonfire. When the fire is low, or the party is ending, dump some ash on the fire to put out the flame.

While water and sand are popular properties to put out a fire, ash is another great choice because of its ability to smother flames. Ash acts as an insulator and takes the oxygen out of the flames.

Save Your Ash for Winter
A snowy morning in the suburbs

Not only does ash put out fires and add nutrients to your soil, but it also adds traction to slippery sidewalks during the snowy months. Because of the potassium naturally in ash, when mixed with snow or ice, it weakens the chemical structure within the ice, causing it to melt.

Another perk to using ash for an icy driveway or sidewalk is that it’s environmentally friendly and economical since you’re reusing ash from a previous fire. The downfalls to this method are that you can bring the ash into the home from your snow boots and that if there are chemicals on the ash from the bonfire (like lighter fluid), it can harm your plants and grass.

Control Pond Algae
Algae growing in a pond

Algae in your pond isn’t just an eyesore; it’s a downward spiral for the plants, bacteria, and animals living in or near the pond. Algae lowers the oxygen levels in the water, which is harmful to frogs and fish. Blue-green algae, in particular, even releases toxins detrimental to pond activity.

Luckily, some ash from your fire can help control algae. Ash won’t kill algae, but the potassium within the ash benefits the plants growing in and around the pond. Because ash helps fertilize plants within the pond, they out-compete with algae, which minimizes the spread of algae. Add 1 tablespoon of ash per 1,000 gallons of water. Apply whenever algae growth has increased.
Reuse and Reap the Benefits

Reusing ash is an excellent way to be eco-friendly. Instead of tossing it in the trash, reuse or repurpose ash to benefit your garden, front yard, or next bonfire. Just remember to always use precaution when handling ash. Wait a few days before you scoop the ash and place it into a metal container with a lid to avoid a house fire.

Have you used ash to help around your house? Share your methods with like-minded readers in the comment section below!

Share on Beloud

2.3k