burning vegetation in garden?

[what..the?]

hello there the garden is really overgrown with grass and other vegetation, bushes shrubs, too much to get rid of down the tip or compost, I see you can get garden incinerators. What can you burn on this, do you have to let it dry out naturally first, and do I need permisson. I dont live near a motorway but in an area of conservation but quite franky I cant see people being bothered.

Thanks in advance

[paddywak]

Well you can burn almost anything in one so long as it's dry enough and no, you don't need permission, though you will find most areas have by-laws as to what time you can burn stuff usually it's after 7 o'clock at night and before 7 0'clock in the morning. Obviously when ever you burn your stuff you have to try and consider your neighbours they will not be too happy if they've just hung out the washing or fired up the Barbie when they're engulfed in your smoke

[what..the?]

lol yes I see what you are saying thanks, So can you burn grass? wouldn't this take ages to dry out or should you just throw it on?

[paddywak]

The trouble with grass that if it's not dried it smokes a lot and drying it can be a problem. If it's long grass just cut it let it lie for a day or two and if it doesn't rain rake it up and it should burn ok if somewhat smokey, Lawn cuttings however can take ages to dry and if not turned over they just turn into soggy lump.What are you planning on doing with the garden? as it seems a shame not to compost what you can

[naomi24]

I think you have to have the fire a certain distance from the public road - at least we do around here. Check the by-laws.

[what..the?]

thanks guys well the area will be turned next summer into a low maintence paved garden with raised planting, tiered seating areas, a very small square of grass for ocasional rabbit run use. And as mainly out buildings (shed/summer house as planning lets us, the garden is entirely over looked by 3 storey holiday flats so we need something to sit in or under.

[what..the?]

yes the grass is quite long so I think initally cutting and drying might be an option but not bought incinerator yet! It might be a no goer if the rain returns? Due to know weed being present not in huge quanity I thought the incinerator might be a good longterm investment for the knot weeds safe removal. Of course I could just burn the stuff straight on the ground not thought of that - mini bonfire - dont know if that is possible

[carlton23]

Why not kill it all first with weed killer then when it`s dead it will be easier to get rid of by burning.

[paddywak]

If you're not in too much of a hurry why not carltons idea? a good quality weedkiller like Roundup while not being the fastest will kill right down to the roots then when it's died off just rake it up and burn and as Roundup only works on living plants you dont have to worry about any residual killer remaining in the soil