Can I use bonfire ash in my compost bin? Is there any other uses for it?
Not much use in compost - too short lived.
But keep it dry & use for anything liking Potash - garlic, toms etc. flowers.
I read an article about garlic in Kitchen Garden. This Italian swore by ash (several inches deep) around his garlic. I think his father had done this for years with great success. I'll let you know how it goes in a few months!
Put it on your plants when they're growing strongly. I distributed a large bucket last weekend.
See also:
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,57/topic,19061.0
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,57/topic,10759.0
:)
Remember you can use wood ash and charcoal ash but NOT coal ash ;)
In simple terms, potash is the 'flower and fruit maker', so use it wherever this applies, eg I will be applying it to my sweetcorn beds, and tomatoes as a top dressing where they are planted outside.
I read putting ash on onions is good for them.
There is a bit about it in here;
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Misc.Data/Fertilisers.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Misc.Data/Fertilisers.htm)
Best not to put it where your potatoes are, it can be quite alkali.
No good at all if it has been rained on as the little bit of goodness it had has been washed out.