How good ash from the open fire (wood)

[steve64]

I have a lot of ash burning oak, pine, which is the best way to use it?

for growing veg.

Thanks steve.

[Millymollymandy]

I'm no expert but as far as I know, ash = potash (the K of the NPK in fertilisers) so good for flowering/fruiting veg/plants.

What I don't know is how often it should be applied to the soil, for example around tomatoes.

I've got loads of ash myself so I'm trying to learn how best to use it!

Don't spread it on a windy day is one thing I've learnt!!

[Stew]

Don't spread it on a windy day is one thing I've learnt!!

Could you mix it with some water to make more of a paste?

[steve64]

Thanks for your input.
Could you put it onto the compost heap, just don't want to throw it
away in a land fill! I don't want to dig to much in one go.

Thanks Steve

[Andy Hamilton]

Can't you just keep some by in a barrel or something?

[The Chili Monster]

Hi Steve

According to this website:
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organic ... post_1.php
It's perfectly OK to compost wood ash (but not coke or coal ash).

[Martin]

I seem to remember you can make "lye" with it - bang some holes in the bottom of a barrel - big can whatever, line with straw, and fill with ash - pour a bucketful of cold water over the ash - repeat every 3 or 4 hours on the first, third, and fifth days - what drips out is "lye" - clarify some fat (dripping, lard, whatever), and heat to lukewarm, heat the lye to lukewarm, and slowly pour the lye into the fat, stirring gently - when it drips from the spoon like honey, stop adding lye - cover container, and leave overnight - cut up your soap next day! Obviously, addition of essential oils helps the smell!
8)
credit where it's due - originally from John Seymours excellent 70's classic
"complete self-sufficiency"

[Wombat]

Being a potash soap it won't go hard, it will be a soft soap. Not that there is a problem with that if you are expecting it........

I just throw it on top over winter then dig it in in spring!

Nev

[steve64]

Thanks again everybody. I know it’s good for the garden just didn’t want to put too much on it. I do put some of it in my home made composter to help soak up some of the moisture from the plants especially grass clippings.
The home made composter is just an old large water barrel with screw top lid, Drilled some holes to aide ventilation, drainage when I want to turn the compost over I just roll it along the ground. Just 3 to 4 weeks and it is done.
Thanks Steve

[Millymollymandy]

Can't you just keep some by in a barrel or something?

I put mine in plastic dustbins. Then I sieve it to get rid of the lumps of charcoal and put the fine stuff in another dustbin ready to use. This is a horrible job! Not for a windy day!!

[Camile]

Hello,

Does anyone know if Turf ashes can be used the same ?

Because I do put a bit in the compost heap .. and I also use it around the veggie patch and raised beds to prevents slugs ...

Thanks,
Camile

[Cheezy]

Potash is great for fruit trees, since too much nitrogen encourages them to get water shoots or too much foliage. So Potash is great. Mix it with a bit of lime for any fruit tree with a stone (they need the calcium to produce the stone)

You just need to spread it around the base of the tree in spring, lightly fork it in and let nature do the rest.

Use it also for anything that needs feed, but too much nitrogen will cause it to put on green growth.