permaculture

["Darrell E. Frey" <defrey@bioshelter.com>]

Sometimes the term "cinder block" is a generic term for concrete
blocks. Concrete blocks, which are generally made of cement, sand and
gravel would be fine recycled for garden beds if those are the only
ingrdeient. Technically, a cinder block is a concrete block that has
coal ash added as a cheap agregate

  So before using a concrete block, one should determine the source.
if indeed it an actual "cinder" block containing fly ash or coal ash
definitely do not use them.

Darrell E. Frey
Three Sisters Farm
defrey@bioshelter.com
www.bioshelter.com

Author; Bioshelter Market Garden: A Permaculture Farm. New Society
Publishing, 2011

On Sun, 31 Mar 2013 11:08:04 +1100, Robyn Francis
<robyn@permaculture.com.au> wrote:
Fly Ash is a by-product of coal-fired power stations, also called coal
ash.  You might like to check this info out
http://www.ehow.com/info_11386444_using-coal-ash-fertilizer.html
> Coal ash is noted to contain dangerous substances, such as heavy
> metals. These heavy metals infiltrate the soil or compost mixed with
> coal ash. While the levels of toxic heavy metals in coal ash from a
> home stove are significantly lower than those from an industrial
> furnace, be aware that the metals are present in all types of coal
> ash. If this concerns you, skip coal ash as a fertilizer. As
> previously mentioned, coal ash offers no real nutritional value for
> your soil, only adding trace nutrients. If a true, nutrient-rich
> fertilizer is what your garden needs, you should look for a soil
> amendment other than coal ash.
>
> Read more: Using Coal Ash Fertilizer | eHow.com
> http://www.ehow.com/info_11386444_using-coal-ash-fertilizer.html#ixzz2P4TEIckC
>
> On 31/03/2013, at 10:52 AM, ChildrensPeaceGuild wrote:
>
> > A friend came across some cheap cinder block and wanted to make a
> raised bed, but had read they contain fly ash.
> > Does anyone have recommendations/experience regarding this?
> > >  > -Roman
> > > Children's Permacultue Guild
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