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  • #1

    Wood ash in compost?

    Hi all

    I imagine this has been asked before, but despite massive cajoling of the search feature, I can't find any reference to it. So, can I / should I put wood ash in my compost bin? I have a wood burning stove (no coal), and have recently been putting the odd bag of wood ash from it into my compost bin. I thought this would probably be good for my compost (potassium, phosphates, de-acidification), but on my most recent stirring it was looking a bit too ashy and dry. So, this is probably too much wood ash, but is a little bit OK? Or should I add more kitchen waste, green stuff etc. to balance out the ash? Or can I just put the ash directly onto my lawn (which is looking a bit mossy and sorry for itself, but it's too cold and hard to scarify it yet...)

    Thanks for any suggestions.

    Giles
    Last edited by sandspider; 01-02-2010, 03:41 PM.
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  • #2
    Yes woodash is fine, it's coal ash that you shouldn't put on.
    If your compost is too dry you can add a little water, just don't make it too wet. Alternatively pour (or directly apply) urine, which will speed up the composting process.

    EDIT: I believe this is the forum's definitive composting thread. I've got it stored in my subscribed threads thus bypassing our beloved search function:
    http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...mpost-bin.html
    Last edited by OllieMartin; 01-02-2010, 03:34 PM.
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    • #3
      Thanks Ollie, very handy. Hadn't thought of putting hoover contents on there, I certainly have plenty of that! And another excuse to get out in the garden and scare my neighbours

      Cheers.

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      • #4
        There's not much point in actually putting it on the compost heap because it doesn't need to be broken down. More likely it will just mess up the balance of your heap (it's very alkaline).

        I would suggest simply using it as a fertiliser. I mixed the wood ash in with compost when potting up my tomatoes last year and it seems to work a treat.
        Garden Grower
        Twitter: @JacobMHowe

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        • #5
          I'd put it round my fruit bushes.
          Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

          www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

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          • #6
            I added some to my bin last year won't be doing it again because the worms didn't seem to like it, really made them writhe around a lot.
            Location....East Midlands.

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            • #7
              Thanks all. I don't have any fruit bushes, but I'll give it a try on the lawn and in the compost in moderation and see how I get on!

              Cheers.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Bren In Pots View Post
                I added some to my bin last year won't be doing it again because the worms didn't seem to like it, really made them writhe around a lot.
                Thats cos it was still hot! Lol!

                I mainly use it around my soft fruit bushes and apples and pears but I think they've had enough now so I use it instead of lime to rectify my already acid soil! I only grow earlies at the allotment so tattie scab won't be a problem!
                Last edited by Snadger; 01-02-2010, 06:12 PM.
                My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
                to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

                Diversify & prosper


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                • #9
                  Just make sure you don't burn treated wood of any sort as chemicals are not always destroyed by burning.

                  Ian

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