Do you have a wood stove, a fireplace, or a fire pit? Stop for a minute and think about what you do with all of the resulting wood ash. If you’re in the habit of shoveling it into a trash bag and putting it in the garbage can, I’ve got good news for you — there’s a better way to recycle them that will benefit your Garden.
USING WOOD ASH IN THE GARDEN:
What are the benefits of wood ash? While wood ash doesn’t contain nitrogen, it does contain potassium, calcium, boron, phosphorus, and it’s also very alkaline. And let’s not forget that it’s absolutely free.
Does my garden need it? Very possibly, but before you get excited, do a Soil test. If your garden has a pH of 7 or higher, you don’t need it. Wood ash raises the pH in your soil, so if you don’t need it, don’t use it. And those acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons and blueberries? The don’t need it. And your potatoes don’t need it, either, because if the soil pH is too high, they’ll develop scab disease. Aaaand, lastly, if you have very young or tender plants like seedlings, I’d skip the wood ash treatment with them as well.
Read More: BIOCHAR: FIRING UP YOUR SOIL TO PRODUCE STRONG, HEALTHY PLANTS
Can I use all ash? No. You can only use ash from actual wood, not from coal, charcoal briquettes, or those faux logs.
So how can I use wood ash in my garden?
Make a tea. Grab a burlap bag or other permeable cloth, add a few pounds of wood ash, then put it into a 50-gallon trash can filled up with water. The result, after brewing for a few days, is a potassium boost for plants that love it (tomatoes, for example).
Sprinkle on the lawn. Just a light layer will do, then thoroughly water in. It’ll benefit your grass but also encourage clover. While you may think clover is a weed if it’s in your grass, it’s only a weed if you don’t want it there. Clover actually provides nectar for bees and improves the soil, which leads to healthier grass. Do not fear clover.
Feed your trees. The hardwood trees on your property will thank you forever if you spread a bit of wood ash cheer around their bases in late winter.
Compost. This recommendation comes with a caveat — a little wood ash in your compost pile is fine, but too much is, well, too much.
See Also: BENEFITS OF BIOCHAR
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