Woody waste

[southlondongardener]

I have lots of sticks which I want to get rid off.

What is the best way ? Could I burn them and use the waste as phosphate fertilizer.

[lainey lou]

Can you put them to use in the garden? To protect your pea seedlings from the birds maybe?

[southlondongardener]

How can you use sticks to protect things from the birds ?

Sadly I only have space for fruit in the garden and also a) a lot of them are very weak b) I have loads !!!

[lainey lou]

Just lay them over the area where you've planted the seeds i think, but obviously thats no good for you! I expect some other grape will be along in a mo with better advice!

[Birdie Wife]

You could use a few if you are starting a new compost heap, to form a base that lets air circulate and improve drainage, but if you have loads then burning and usiing the potash is a good idea. I would burn them later on in late spring when the flowers are forming though, because potash doesn't last long on the ground and it'll be gone by the time the plants need it.

[southlondongardener]

Thanks for the reply. I will probably add the ashes to my rotten nettle water as that is full of potash

[veg4681]

I just have a bonfire every now and then to burn all my garden twigs and the ashes I either chuck in the compost bin or the veggie bed but I wasn't aware that the potash element in ash don't keep well, however the timing issue is a bit fiddly for me. Just as well I stock up on bought box of Sulphate of Potash and tomato liquid feed.

[southlondongardener]

Potash will keep in ash but it is very water soluble so if you add it now then it will be washed out. The best idea would be add store it in a container and then use it when you need to.

It is however stable.

[Two_Sheds]

Onions like to have wood ash sprinkled on their bed.

[Winged one]

On a slightly related note, would the ash from a purely peat (briquettes and turf) and wood fire be alright to use on the plot? I sometimes have a fire that I haven't added any coal to, and could keep that ash for the plot if it was useful.