ash on garden???

[Vixen218]

i am soon moving house...

in my new house we will have a back boiler that will burn coal and wood and other solid fuel, it will therefore obviously produce ash...

My question is... can i use this ash on my veg patch or anywhere on my garden or in my compost heap???

any help much aprechiated...

[snuffer]

Hiya Vixen218. Wood ash can be used on the garden and added to the compost heap (don't add to much to the heap at any one time). It is particularly good for adding to the soil around fruit trees and bushes. (Think it contains potash) No doubt someone more knowledgable will be along soon.

Coal ash, should not be added to the garden or compost heap. Trouble is, I can't remember why. May be something to do with acidity.

[bobleponge]

Vixen

I have 2 woodburners and produce a lot of ash. I put a fair bit of what I produce onto my compost heaps, but I do have a fair few of them, so I dont overload them. And I do only burn wood, not really much else.

Some fruits (I think goosegogs and blueberries?) love a bit of ash around them but make sure you check that first.

[Jeanied]

From memory the only thing you can use coal and coke ash for is riddling and making clinker paths. It will be toxic for the veg beds. Wood ash is a different proposition and I think is is used as a nitrogenous feed (wartime kitchen and garden showed it being used on tomatoes in the greenhouse)

[Snadger]

It also adds lime to the garden.

[lottie dolly]

It also adds lime to the garden.

so i take it,it would be good to sprinkle over next years brassica area ,
and what about mixing it with the compost to put into strawberry barrels,i have some thats 2 years old,and hopefully some more when we have the lottie fire next month.

[Vixen218]

thank you very much for the replies... I have been told to use coal during the winter and wood during the summer so at least we will be able to get some use out of the wood ash...

[bluemoon]

Wood ash contains potassium, so should be used around fruit bushes and fruiting veg such as pumpkins. In years gone by wood ash soaked in water was the basis of lye. This means it's extremely alkaline, so should only be used in small quantities. Coal ashes contain toxins and should never be used on the garden.

[Snadger]

thank you very much for the replies... I have been told to use coal during the winter and wood during the summer so at least we will be able to get some use out of the wood ash...

If I burn either coke or chipboard in my woodburner at the allotment I usually use the ash on the allotment paths. Particularily handy during the winter as spread on icy paths, it gives a non slip surface!

[IgglePiggle]

My garden is full of coal ash from the people who lived here before. Didnt know it was toxic, so won't plant any veg in it now! Plants are growing fine in it through lol

[bluemoon]

IgglePiggle (why did you choose that name, I end up with the blimming song in my head for three days afterwards!) The toxins will probably leach away so as long as you don't add any more you should be OK to try a few veg.