Wood Ash

Hi
I have looked at past threads about wood ash but I still cant make my mind up.
Is it worth putting on the soil or not. I have been given 2 bags full from a reliable
source. No nasties in it. My soil is Neutral and I don't have many problems growing
anything. I put a few handfuls of B,F & Bone around in late spring. Is it worth using
the wood ash as well or what.
What would people think. Use it or bin it.

 

I put quite a lot of wood ash on the ground anywhere I'm going to be growing fruit (Inc trees, soft fruit, squashes), seed (beans, peas etc) or flowers...

 

We mix the ash (from wood burner) into our compost bin.

 

Many many years ago one of the members of the garden club in our village told us to put our wood ash around the base of our tree peony which hadn't flowered in years. Yes you know what happened we did and next year it flowered and has continued to do so. Was it the wood ash? Or was it was just old enough to flower? We think the wood ash was the answer.

 

It is useful as a additive to your compost heap, reduces acidity of grass mowings especially. A light dusting across layers.The inclusion of charred wood particles is especially good. It will survive composting and as 'bio-char' has addditional beneficial function once spread.
Do not use ash or clinker from burning coal , coke or phurnicite. If you use your wood burner as an incinerator (yes, some people do !) , discard the ash.(and start saving for a new flue liner....)

 

Ash is good for breaking up clay, my garden had loads of it spread on it for many years before central heating was installed.

 

To much wood ash around potatoes will likely result in scab caused by making the soil more alkaline.

 

No, tomatoes will do better from the potash. You also have to take in to account the calcium from the wood ash, if your soil is already alkaline, then I would not recommend adding to much or any wood ash or spent mushroom compost on your garden, it will raise the PH level to high, especially if your growing potatoes, they prefer the soil a little more acidic.

 

You have already answered your own query. Neutral soil tends to have a PH between 6.5-7.5 ideal for most things to thrive. Now if your soil is towards the low end of that range, then a slight dusting would be more than adequate, if your soil is more towards the 7.5 range, then I would not be adding any at all as your going to make the soil to alkaline.

 

Dear All

Thanks for the tips you have posted above.
I think I will use my wood ash around my fruit trees
and soft fruit and in the compost bin. But I will hold off
putting it on all the flower borders, But I will do a small experiment and put it in a small area and see what happens.
Have a Good Gardening Year.