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Does ash enhance the soil?

DesthemoanerDesthemoaner Posts: 191
in Problem solving

Hi all, and Happy New Year.

About six weeks ago we had a multi fuel stove fitted in our lounge. Amongst the sometimes onerous tasks associated with the ownership of such an appliance is the disposal of wood ash.

We do burn some paper and cardboard along with the wood, but intend to use coal only occasionally.  

I seem to remember reading somewhere that its OK to spread wood and paper ash on the garden because it enriches the soil. 

Is this advice accurate or not?

Thanks. 

Last edited: 01 January 2017 19:24:57

Posts

  • Anne17Anne17 Posts: 98

    As long as there's no coal, I spread it around my fruit bushes, they love it

    its  supposed to deter slugs but I must have the jumping sort

    you can also put it on the compost heap, but don't do as I did, and empty it on a windy day

  • ColinAColinA Posts: 392

    Hello

    All ash from rubbish burnt on my allotment is bagged when dry and used around fruit bushes every winter as it is a good source of potash, my father was a gardener all his life and used to swear by it

  • DesthemoanerDesthemoaner Posts: 191

    Thanks to you both. Having submitted my post it looked like a daft question, but I had to ask in case there were any drawbacks to using clean wood ash that I might have missed. It is mainly carbon, after all.

    Anne, I had read somewhere that ash can be used to deter slugs (at least till it rains and turns the ash to sludge), but it wasn't till I read your post that I remembered. Mine are far too fat and lazy to jump, so thanks for the reminder. 

     I'll carry on digging it into the garden and hope that the plants show their gratitude in the appropriate manner. 

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889

    This might help.

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=621

    Devon.
  • Mark152Mark152 Posts: 13

    If you really want to be sure to add a good level of potash, I'd use rose feed but it won't do any harm.

  • DesthemoanerDesthemoaner Posts: 191

    Thanks again, and apologies for the time taken to reply.

    Link checked and understood, noted  the advice re rose feed. 

    Aym....you've sussed me. A fan of Shakey, but not of Shakin' Stevens. ;0)

  • DesthemoanerDesthemoaner Posts: 191
     

     

    Last edited: 13 January 2017 10:45:59

  • DesthemoanerDesthemoaner Posts: 191

    Good to make people laugh, even at Shakey's expense. image

    I'll put some of the ash on the garden, but for now most of it will go in the bin.

    Unless someone can suggest another use for it?

    Last edited: 13 January 2017 10:47:35

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