Where to Use Wood Ash?

[michellep]

Had a big bonfire last weekend - now I've got an incinerator full of wood ash; can someone let me know where I can use this?

Which vegetables like it?

I grow most 'usual' suspects ..... peas, beans, cabbage, broccoil, onions, garlic, carrots, chard, beetroot, tomatoes, cucumber, chillis, peppers, courgettes, artichokes etc ..... where to use my ash? Dunno?

Michelle

[Two_Sheds]

here's one from the Search button: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ash_12976.html

[Finedon.Dandy]

I think it can be used to neutralise an acid soil and so could I suppose be used in place of lime which brassicas need? Sure another grape will advise if thats wromg.

Good luck.

Tammy

[King Carrot]

I use woodash on my onions, some when I make the bed and another dusting when the bulbs begin to swell after midsummer. I understand it washes away very quicky so better to use in a dryer spell.

KC

[Paulottie]

It is often used as a top dressing applied for carrots, beans, peas spuds etc. Also I saw Harry Dodson put loads around his Tomatoes. Potash Is good for the flowering element of things so presumably it would be useful for other fruit crops too.

The Potash element can vary massively however and leaches quite quickly. Therefore the best examples are from slow-burning fires of older wood with the Ashes stored dry. This can contain up to 7% whereas green twiggy stuff after fast combustion might only contain 1% or so.

[Hai_hula]

I wouldn't use it, burnt wood contains benzo-a-pyrene which is a carcinogenic, not sure how it relates to plants and human consumption but i steer well clear of it!

[Mikey]

Now I also have a wood buring stove, but have been advised against using it on the garden, as it offers very little in the way of nutrients.

[Two_Sheds]

I wouldn't use it, burnt wood contains benzo-a-pyrene which is a carcinogenic, not sure how it relates to plants and human consumption but i steer well clear of it!

Many things we put on the garden are potentially harmful or carcinogenic (RoundUp, MiracleGro etc). Toast and barbecued food can contain Benzo(a)pyrene - I wouldn't worry about a bit of wood ash on the soil.
"How much Benzo(a)pyrene is produced and released to the environment?
(PAHs are) found in exhaust from motor vehicles and other gasoline and diesel engines, emission from coal-, oil-, and wood-burning stoves and furnaces, cigarette smoke; general soot and smoke of industrial, municipal, and domestic origin, and cooked foods, especially charcoal-broiled; in incinerators, coke ovens, and asphalt processing and use." http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/contaminants/dw_contamfs/benzopyr.html

[zazen999]

Plus the slugs don't like it that much! Never seen a slug on my onion bed and that gets loads of wood ash as we also have a wood burner.

[skybluepink]

Wood ash has been used by gardeners as a fertilizer for years probably cos its free and readily available, ( Nothing went to waste) Its also high in potash which is especially good for fruit so the fruit beds tend to get a dressing first but otherwise any beds which are empty generally just before i plant. However I wouldnt put it on young plants and do tend to to use it little and often rather than as a mulch for instance , its good on the compost too.