wood ash?

**Flummery** · 16-03-2011, 02:34 PM

Wood ash is good for fruit bushes (contains potash which encourages the production of fruit) and I often add a bit to my onion bed.

**jacob** · 16-03-2011, 03:59 PM

I mix quite a lot in with my tomato/chilli/aubergine compost -- again, the potassium is good for the fruit. Also scatter about fruit trees, bushes and roses.

More generally I mix a bit in every time I prepare a bed, wood ash is full of useful minerals. I'm not quite sure how much though -- it's quite alkaline. Anyone with more experience I'm also interested!

**VirginVegGrower** · 16-03-2011, 04:13 PM

It is fantastic for your roses and general border maintenance. We have a steady supply (most days with this weather) and throw it liberally amongst our flower borders. That and leaf mold have improved the clay soil immeasurably.

**Two_Sheds** · 16-03-2011, 04:19 PM

Yeah, it's high in potash, woodash is - as has been said, good for the fruit bushes

**Kristen** · 16-03-2011, 04:30 PM

Isn't it "more alkaline" than it is "high in Potash"? I mean : such that some care might be needed for regular applications on soil that is alkaline.

I wonder if its is alkaline enough that I can use it on the Brassica bed? I have loads of wood ash ...

**timethatthetaleweretold** · 16-03-2011, 07:21 PM

Someone posted a link on the "wild chalk" thread which suggested Wood Ash as an alternative to lime.

I've heard that the effects of wood ash are dramatically different depending on whether it is fresh or has been seasoned. (like manure i suppose).

My experience has been that potatoes grew very well on an old bomfire site, in almost pure ash.
(but don't copy that technique, it might have just been a miracle!)

**Two_Sheds** · 16-03-2011, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by Kristen View Post

Isn't it "more alkaline" than it is "high in Potash"?

I looked it up and found this "Ashes from fireplaces and wood burning stoves are a good source of potassium and a lesser source of phosphorus and some micro-nutrients, depending on the type of wood burned"
source: Using Wood Ash in the Garden

**Lotsaveg** · 16-03-2011, 09:38 PM

It's perfect for mixing in the potato beds!

**binley100** · 16-03-2011, 09:52 PM

but if you're spreading it around your fruit bushes make sure it's cold first.....eh snadge

and keep it dry until you spread it cos water (rain 0 will leach the goodness out of it.....

**Kristen** · 16-03-2011, 10:31 PM

Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post

I looked it up and found this "Ashes from fireplaces and wood burning stoves are a good source of potassium and a lesser source of phosphorus and some micro-nutrients, depending on the type of wood burned"
source: Using Wood Ash in the Garden

Useful article, thanks T.S. So I need to extract-digit and get the pH testing kit I bought myself as a present, months ago!, out of the packet and see what the soil alkalinity actually is.

Kids break up soon, just got to slip a pH testing experiment into their homework assignment

**solway cropper** · 16-03-2011, 11:27 PM

As has been stated wood ash is alkaline and should be used with care if you don't know the pH of your soil. I used wood ash and chicken manure (both alkaline) on my potato patch one year and ended up with badly scabbed spuds. It is good for fruit though, and probably flowers as well if you are one of those people who grows things that you can't eat

**bearded bloke** · 16-03-2011, 11:48 PM

Not really got into the science of soil so I just bung the ash from the woodburner into the "dalek" on top of the kitchen waste

**Two_Sheds** · 17-03-2011, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by binley100 View Post

but if you're spreading it around your fruit bushes make sure it's cold first.......

Lol, I did that .... tipped the red hot ash from my Kelly Kettle all over the onions

**Kristen** · 17-03-2011, 08:22 AM

Straight from soil to table eh? missing out all those boring drying and roping steps!

Announcement

wood ash?

wood ash?

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Latest Topics

Recent Blog Posts