Reclaiming The Backyard Firepit, Part 7
Tink stood guard against dive-bombing robins,
while I took advantage of a burst of decent weather to tackle the mess in the firepit.
Considering the last time I did a burn was two weeks ago, add in lots of rain since, I'm surprised there was only this much 'big' stuff left. I expected probably twice or three times this amount. Good to know it still can produce an efficient burn under adverse conditions!
Thankfully, the ash wasn't as compacted as I was afraid it was going to be. As a matter of fact, it was almost fluffy. Just enough room in a 5 gallon bucket to handle it all. Yay!
Much better!
I'm wracking my brain trying to remember what we used as a 'base' for the fires. If memory serves, dirt was recommended, although sand would work, too.
The thing is, the lighter color spots are the consistency of paste. Most of my 'dirt' has a high clay content, but I don't think that's what it is. Probably the result of a inadvertant science experiment - combine wood ash and three years of rain... who knows what you'll get. In any case, it's staying put for now.
And if anyone has any suggestions for the wood ash, I'd be grateful. I'm sure it's beneficial to some stage of gardening, but I've never used it before. I've set it off to the side, covered (to dry a bit), until I need it or it gets tossed.
Woot!
Finished just before the next batch of rain moved in.
Once this moves through, they're promising a couple dry days. My work schedule (knock wood) is light, too. Still, things are dicey enough that I'll have to have a few options for what to tackle next.
Stay tuned... !
Upvote, ReSteem, 
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Watch for ticks after being in the brush. I mowed my lawn the other day and had on crawling on me!!!
Thanks for the warning and will do. Glad you spotted the one you picked up. Nasty little things! Will have to watch the weather so I can get down another nematode treatment. (They eat the flea & tick larvae.) At least the yard will be safer.
Ashes:
1/ Good for washing your hands with in the woods, look it up, it is true.
2/ Related to that you can add it to your own soaps w the lye if you make stuff.
3/ The ashes are basically small coals, so it is already done burning out the oxygen out of the coals (wood) so if you keep some dry, essentially you have char that is highly combustible and it takes a spark really easily. On a cold day, or rainy day, or with cold hands, the quicker you catch flame, the better.
3/ The nitrogen count of some of this stuff is really high for certain plants so can be good or bad, depending.
I had to wander by, make sure I checked in with you on your life here!!
That dog is a killer, nobody is breaking into your place.
(:
Awesome list! I'm not sure I'm to be trusted with lye, though. Way too klutzy.
You ought to hear Tinker's 'motorboat'. I'll try to catch her doing it sometime. She does this low rumble and can keep it up a good long time. Sounds like she's 90 lbs instead of 20. Fierce li'l firecracker!
Like her momma
LOL
(:
Your doggy is the double of my sisters, gorgeous little thing
Thanks! They're the best and it's great to have a little company while I'm puttering.
I wouldn't know what to do withouy my 2
They're great listeners, aren't they? You can tell them anything! I chatter to Tink all the time. Probably looks goofy to anyone else, but as long as Tink doesn't care, neither do I. Lol!
I'm the same, Mika makes this moaning noise when she gets a rub I think she's talking to me so we have a conversation lol
I've often wondered what it would be like to get inside their heads for 10 minutes... ;-D
Me too, I keep sayin I wish they could talk but whe they start barking I want them to shut up lol
Lol! Ditto!
Cute puppy in a purple harness! Such a fierce looking guard dog with that fluffy tail. I like the fire pit with its moons and stars. Never seen one like that.
Thank you for your kind words. She does a good job standing watch. (She's a Lhasa Apso and it's their job.)
The stars & moons were what decided me on this one. So pretty at night with the fire showing through. I'll have to get some pictures of that, too!