THE PERFECT BONFIRE
Whether you use an incinerator or build a pile, with the right safety precautions and some expert know-how a bonfire will tackle garden waste effectively, and can be lots of fun, says Bob Flowerdew
Bob Flowerdew’s guide to getting it right on the night
GUY Fawkes Night is fast approaching, but bonfires are not just for 5 November. They are a great way of getting rid of certain types of garden rubbish and, done properly, can be a real event.
However, if you have never attempted one before, the idea can be a bit daunting. There are, after all, safety considerations – as well as environmental ones. Worried about the consequences of getting it wrong, we often prefer to take garden waste that won’t go in the composter to the local tip instead. But according to AG columnist – and self-confessed bonfire fan – Bob Flowerdew, by doing so we really are missing a trick. We quizzed him about what to burn and how.
Where should I site my bonfire?
Keep bonfires well away from fences, vehicles and buildings, paying attention to the direction in which the wind will blow smoke and flames. Apart from fire risk, there’s also the danger of smoke inhalation, while tiny pieces of hot ash can damage any plants and painted surfaces they land on (and make holes in polythene tunnels, as I’ve found!).
Open pile or incinerator?
To burn material efficiently and safely use an incinerator, which contains the fire in a metal drum. But for ‘funfires’ it’s got to be a blazing pile. This can be made to burn brighter, will be easier to light and loom larger when raised up on metal fire irons supported on bricks.
Which materials burn well?
Dry prunings blaze – the thinner, the faster; more so the older and drier they are. Resinous wood such as that from pines and conifers burns even brighter.
Most evergreens burn fiercely even when green (avoid laurel, however, as fumes are toxic), while the likes of bay and rosemary give off lovely scents, too.
What about safety?
Inform neighbours, giving them plenty of time to house their pets and take precautions. Have a bucket or more of water, and a hosepipe connected and ready – plus a first aid kit. Nominate one adult to take charge of safety; make it their job to ‘stay sober’ and to damp down the fire once everyone has left.
Are bonfires bad for the environment?
Too many can be. However, it seems reasonable to enjoy traditional celebratory bonfires using safe materials that have little intrinsic value and are otherwise cumbersome to dispose of (such as a pile of nasty thorny stuff from renovating hedges) or that need burning for safety or hygiene – prunings with coral spot or other diseases, for example.
Are there better alternatives to burning certain things?
If you have a wood burner or indoor fireplace, any substantial wood is best used as firewood. And anything that has ever lived can be added to compost. Even chunks of wood will break down eventually, so chop it up and compost. Piles of prunings can be rolled into bundles, tied, then hidden inside evergreens to create wildlife hotels.