Is a bonfire a good way to dispose of garden waste?

That's a point, isn't it? Here in rural France, 95% of the population heat their homes with a woodburner. Personally, I find the smoke from my neighbour's chimney much more of a nuisance than her occasional bonfires. Did have to have a quiet word about her son burning the plastic waste from his window-fitting business, though His father used to dispose of old frames and doors like that back when it was all wood. (Still not very sensible given the lead content in paint). Nowadays it's all UPVC, and I did draw the line at being on the receiving end of the thick, black, toxic smoke from burning that, almost on a daily basis.
Like Shiney, I only have a fire when the wind disperses any smoke across fields and I also have to take into account standing crops or dry, stubbly remains.

 

YEP. that is how we do it. Burn Burn Burn. have a heap going now, will collect more stuff today. No issues here.

 

I always have a good metal rake near by, and make sure there is a good bare circle of soil around the pile and sometime I will run my hose near it. BBQ fluid is a good starter for it. but if its really dry, just some paper and a match works just fine.