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wood ash on gardens
Posted by Bronwyn
wood ash on gardens May 26, 2006 12:32AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 140 |
Hi. I've been scattering the (cold!) ashes from the fire on the garden and suspect this should be very good for the garden. However, I also suspect that some plants may hate it. I'm wondering if ashes are acid or alkaline because I don't want to upset the acid loving plants I'm growing (camellias, rhodos, daphne etc). Does anyone have any ideas?
Re: wood ash on gardens May 26, 2006 01:26AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 1,796 |
Ashes are very alkaline. They add a lot of potassium (potash, the K symbol on fertiliser packets etc). Spreading ashes is equivalent to spreading lime, so they're ideal if you have acidic soil and want to move it's pH towards the alkaline. I'd keep it away from your acid loving plants but a bit everywhere else should be fine.
Re: wood ash on gardens May 26, 2006 09:49AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 282 |
Re: wood ash on gardens May 27, 2006 01:49AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 138 |
Re: wood ash on gardens May 27, 2006 10:30AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 558 |
I avoid the rhodys etc but my natives,fruit trees and vege garden get a good dollop of ashes followed by mulch all year(The mulch is from my prunings durin gthe winter)
i also add to the compost heap in thin layers to help it break down.
Remeber it washes away in the rain though.
I sometimes use a bit of coal and these ashes go to the fruit trees only.
i also add to the compost heap in thin layers to help it break down.
Remeber it washes away in the rain though.
I sometimes use a bit of coal and these ashes go to the fruit trees only.
Re: wood ash on gardens May 28, 2006 07:38AM |
Re: wood ash on gardens May 29, 2006 12:11AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 140 |
Re: wood ash on gardens June 01, 2006 04:39AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 558 |
The ashes deter birds digging and stop slugs as they cant slither through the rough and nasty stuff.When the rain comes it washes it in but in the case of coal ashes it remains longer.
I use wood and coal some days and would reserve this for more robust plants as I think it can be too strong for seedlings.
Also ask the chimney cleaner to tip your coal/wood cleanings into a container for your garden/compost heap.Its fine as long as you dont burn a lot of treated wood(although the odd wee bit wont be too bad)
I use wood and coal some days and would reserve this for more robust plants as I think it can be too strong for seedlings.
Also ask the chimney cleaner to tip your coal/wood cleanings into a container for your garden/compost heap.Its fine as long as you dont burn a lot of treated wood(although the odd wee bit wont be too bad)
Re: wood ash on gardens June 02, 2006 12:09AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 138 |
Re: wood ash on gardens June 03, 2006 04:24AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 512 |
Re: wood ash on gardens June 04, 2006 01:38AM |
Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 138 |
Re: wood ash on gardens June 06, 2006 10:12AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 558 |
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