Ash disposal

Plan on putting some of my ash in my compost pile but would imagine I don't want to overdo it. Looking for other ways to get rid of it as well.

Can I put "some" fine ash from time to time down the toilet to my septic tank? Or is there a problem with that?

I can also spread it thinly here and there in my woods -- would adding water first help it not be so unsightly? -- any other ideas? can it be recycled anywhere for some use?

I know about the making lye and soap deal -- not interested in that.

Not a septic expert - but I would not put ash in my septic system - I would be concerned that it would not completely dissolve and would not break down - potentially building up in your tank, and possibly contributing to early leech field failure. As well as clogging a drain line from the house to tank.

Here is an article with some good information. It has guidelines as to how much ash you can safely add to plants and compost.

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/wood-ash-can-be-useful-yard-if-used-caution

We spread it in the woods and planting beds. I would be very nervous about flushing it into my septic!

I have a fairly small garden (approx 20'X30'), but I put the ash on there about 1/2 inch deep and get rid of most of my ash there. The rest, from about March-May I just sprinkle on the yard. Of course, the ash is well cooled, especially if things are dry.

I just throw mine away with the garbage each week? I keep a garbage bag outside, and I fill it with cold ashes throughout the week, and toss it with my weekly garbage collection.

Sharing my stupid human trick ..

I once brought a container of ash home from camp with the intent of just putting it out with the garbage. Then I had a "bright" idea while cutting the grass - I'd fill a small spot in the backyard where there was a bit of a depression. Peeled a bit of the sod back, spread a bit of ash, laid the sod back down. Perfect - except the grass was stone dead in a couple days, took a long while to come back too.

Not even sure what I was thinking but apparently using some old ashes as a bit of fill was a pretty dumb idea...?

I don't think it was a dumb idea... just too much of a good thing. Wood ash is slightly alkaline (the opposite of acidic) & if your soil already leans alkaline, maybe you messed up the ph for the new grass. After awhile it'll wash out with rain, so no long term worries.

I would say you could use it for fill but it'll be awhile before you can grow stuff there, unless there were lots of pine trees nearby.

I wouldn't put it down the septic. Wait until the ash is COLD and spread it on the lawn, maybe even water it in to be double sure you don't have a stray ember.

thanks MoneyPit for the sanity check - I'll make a note of the ph thing. There are pines at the edge of the property at camp - good to know....