wood burner ash onto my grass

[Peppertom]

Hello

is it okay to put the ash from my wood burner on to my grass?

thanks

[Flummery]

Seems a waste - it would be brilliant on fruit bushes, onions and probably more things I can't quite think of as it's so hot just now! I wouldn't think it would harm the grass though.

[Peppertom]

thanks for your help

[hamsterqueen]

what about ash from a barbecue? can that be used in the same way?

[OllieMartin]

what about ash from a barbecue? can that be used in the same way?

I do know that coal and charcoal ashes should not be put in the compost, the reason being that all the beneficial plant materials have been burnt out of them and they're now almost 100% carbon which requires a proportianally huge amount of nitrogen to break down. I'd imagine you shouldn't use them on your garden for the same reason, although ashes do aparently help to heat the soil (as they're black) and are a decent deterrant for slugs.

[hamsterqueen]

thanks, into the bin it goes then..

[Flummery]

I don't put barbie ash on because it contains fire-lighter residue.

[trufflehunter]

I have always used my wood ash to keep the*** away from my hostas. But I also thought that it had lots of potash in it or something? Maybe I am just an optimist who hates wasting things!

[OllieMartin]

I have always used my wood ash to keep the*** away from my hostas. But I also thought that it had lots of potash in it or something? Maybe I am just an optimist who hates wasting things!

Yes wood ash is high in potassium carbonate (potash).

The term "potash" comes from the old method of making potassium carbonate (K2CO3) by leaching wood ashes and evaporating the solution in large iron pots, leaving a white residue called "pot ash".

But coal and charcoal ash aren't

[Snadger]

Most grasses thrive on a ph of 6.5 which is slightly acid. Woodash is alkaline and unless you have really acid soil could actually do more harm than good.
It is also high in potassium, not an element that the grass sward requires at this time of year. Nitrogen is what grass craves just now.

If you MUST add it to the sward in small dozes, wait until the autumn I reckon!

[binley100]

If you MUST add it to the sward in small dozes, wait until the autumn I reckon!

...and make sure it's cold

[Flummery]

See, that's all I know about grass! I dug all mine up for veg growing!

[Nicos]

Yes wood ash is high in potassium carbonate (potash).


But coal and charcoal ash aren't

Hang on a mo...I'm a bit confused here- cos isn't charcoal just partly burned wood????

We regularly have BBQ's with real wood and when the cooking is done put it out ( suffocation) . Then the next time we just relight the remaining wood- which I thought utterly resembles charcoal!

I agree that some bought charcoal is inpregnated with started fuel, but not all of it surely???

I can imagine thoughthat BBQ ash may contain traces of meat fat...I suppose that could encourage vermin...and possibly starter fuel...toxic???

Look at the bit on horticulture...
Charcoal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'd put your wood ash wherever you want- so long as it's thinly distributed!

There was a thread recently about this if you have a little look using the Search facility!

[Snadger]

...and make sure it's cold

...........

[armthorpe]

Last time I got some scrumpy I got talking to the farmer. Told him I had a cider apple tree (Tom Putt) but it was suffering from scab. He told me wood ash scattered under the tree would fix it. Is this true?