"Kay" wrote in message
...
In article , Alan Holmes
writes


Whilst still considering this project and before going to Wickes to lay
out an enormous sum of money, it occurred to me there might be a problem
with the annual bonfire.

How could I move the timber around the raised beds to allow me to burn
the huge pile of trimmings from the numerous trees I have in the garden.

After a great deal of deliberation, I came to the conclusion that it
would not be a simple task.

So all my work has been on vain, and I've decide not to bother with the
raised beds at all, a pity.

Have you considered an incinerator (dustbin with holes in)? - might
allow you to burn you tree trimmings in a smaller, more controlled space
without too much extra time.

The problem there is that the trimmings often create a heap about 6 feet
high and about 8 feet across, one would need to have something like 100
binfires each year to deal with that quantity.

I dont think I'd have the patience to do it that way.

Are you regarding your bonfire as an important source of potash? If not,
then you could take the trimmings to your local recycling centre and not
need the bonfire at all.

Or you could go for even more expense ;-) and get a shredder. You could
use the shredded prunings either as the footpaths between the beds or
you could compost them. Raised beds do well if you add about 6 inches of
compost each year (it all breaks down, so you don't end up with 30 inch
high beds after 5 years!) - it gives really nice loose soil so that
weeds can be pulled out really easily.

I already have a shredder, but unfortunately, a lot of the trimmings are
about 2 inches in Diameter and my shredder could not deal with either that
size or the quantity I manage to accumulate.

It seems to me a shame to abandon year round ease of cultivation for an
event which happens once a year.

I can't do anything but agree but the quantity of the waste is just too
much.

--
alan

reply to alan(dot)holmes27(at)virgin(dot)net