Very comprehensive answer Cisco, I have a question for you. What do you do with any ash or charcoal from your wood fire?
I know you are wanting to get into gardening, and sustainable living is all about making use of what is considered waste. Wood ash is brilliant to add to the garden, tomatoes, capsicums (bell peppers), chillies, and egg plants, all love a bit of wood ash and charcoal in the soil.
Charcoal added to a compost heap, keeps it fresh and keeps odours away.
Wood provides energy in the way of heating your home, and then provides energy for plants to grow, its all good :)