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It's a VERY VERY bad idea to burn the leftover grass and leaves during a windy day; however, do you know of any tricks that might solve this problem?

I tried using a small metal bucket except that it's taking forever and ever to burn anything in it.

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Perhaps you should reassess your need to burn things. – baka Apr 10 '12 at 21:13

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There's no tip or trick to burning grass and leaves on a windy day. You answered the question yourself, it's a VERY VERY bad idea. Fire can spread very rapidly in wind and, depending on conditions, could easily spread a mile in minutes. Not only could your life, and others nearby be in danger...you are also risking your property and other's property.

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If you absolutely need it burnt (don't want too compost it), then it would be best to store the material in a wind-proof spot, or in a container of some kind, and then burn it after the wind is gone. I personally think it is a waste of organic material, just burning it. It would make a wonderful carbon base for a compost pile. Ashes don't do your land any good. Anyway, that is also an option to consider.

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actually.. ash is considered one of the best fertilizers, as far as I know – Mihai Oprea Apr 11 '12 at 6:27
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ash is a very specific fertilizer – it does contain lots of potassium, but not much of other elements plants need. Also, it may increase pH more than you want. Using ash as the only fertilizer would only destroy your soil. – Jacek Konieczny Apr 11 '12 at 10:10
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Ash is very alkaline, so it should be used in small amounts. In a personal experiment, I found that these same materials built soil 100% faster and grew far more healthy plants, when composted, than the same amount burned to ashes and spread over the area. – jmusser Apr 12 '12 at 1:31
@jmusser Yes, you don't gain any minerals when you burn, but you do lose all that humus and other 'mineral' nutrients (eg. nitrates). – winwaed Apr 12 '12 at 12:14
In my experience ash can slow down or stop your compost pile from decomposing if you add ash to your compost. In my opinion putting ash in your compost or soil should be avoided. – Shane Apr 13 '12 at 20:54

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