Possible Clues:

• Gardener's aid has top off
• If you burn the saucepan, you can always use it in the garden
• Strong alkali derived from burnt wood
• Soapmaking ingredient
• Old-time fondness for someone outside compound
• Pathos (anag)
• The bottom of the pot may get burnt to make it fertile
• Volunteers in smart compound
• Fertilizer type
• Soapmaking stuff