Wood Ash: Potassium Fertiliser
Ash from wood fires, such as bonfires or wood burning stoves, provide a natural source of potassium (K) and other trace elements. Potassium is a major plant nutrient associated with flowering and fruiting. The levels of potassium in ash will vary depending on the age of the wood that was burnt; young wood from pruning will have higher potassium content than older, thicker branches.Wood Ash: Raising pH
Intensive vegetable production tends to push soils to the acidic side of the scale, so the addition of ash can help to keep pH at optimal levels whilst providing essential nutrients to your plants.
Table showing optimal pH range for Fruits and Vegetables |
When to use wood ash
If applying wood ash directly to soils, do this in the winter and rake or dig it in lightly to allow the compounds in the ash (which could scorch plants) to react with the moist soil and be rendered harmless before spring sowing or planting.You can use wood ash in your compost piles at anytime of the year, applying a sprinkling on top of every 15 cm of material. Heavier use risks the presence of high levels of alkalinity and soluble salts which could damage both plants and the soil.
Wood ash can also be used to reduce the acidity in a worm farm. Worms dislike acidic conditions and prefer neutral pH (7). They will stop breeding and start to migrate from the farm if acidic conditions persist. How much ash you use is determined by the size of your worm farm and the current pH. Having a pH reader and experimenting with quantities of ash is a good way to maintain optimal conditions in the worm farm.
How to use wood ash
Wood ash can be spread directly on soil in the vegetable garden in late winter at a rate of 50-70 g per sq m; Fork in, rake over or add to chicken tractors and the chickens will work it into the soil for you. It may be useful to sieve the ash before use to remove debris.Regenerative Landscape Design - Online Interactive Course
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Things to consider
- Avoid using too much wood ash as an excess in alkalinity can be detrimental to some plants.
- Avoid using ash from treated timber as they may contain potentially harmful residues.
- Avoid using wood ash on areas where potatoes are to be grown the following spring, as the alkaline conditions can encourage potato scab
- Ash from coal or anthracite has little or no nutritional benefit and is potentially harmful to soil, plants and consumers of edible produce.
- Ash from lump wood charcoal can be used as recommended for wood ashes.
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If you appreciate the work we are doing you can show your support in several ways.
Become a member of the Polyculture Project by subscribing to our Substack
Make a purchase of plants or seeds from our nursery or Online Store
Consider joining us for one of our Courses or Online Courses
Comment, like, and share our content on social media.
Make a direct donation via PayPal to balkanecologyproject@gmail.com
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