The ash that remains in the fireplace or after you have burnt brush can be used as a fertilizer. Ash contains most of the nutrients necessary for plant health. If you know how to use it you can recycle it and at the same time grow a lush vegetable garden or garden.
Steps
Step 1. Use the ash to improve (amend) the soil when it is still dry, in early spring and before the plants resume activity
- Almost all plants benefit from the potash contained in wood ash, which also contains other elements useful for the soil and for plant growth.
- Since ash is a basic agent, it reduces the acidity of the soil. Plants that prefer acidic soil, such as blueberries, azaleas, or rhododendrons don't like adding ash to their soil.
Step 2. Add 9 kg of wood ash to every 93 square meters of land, tilling and incorporating it well
If the ash remains piled up in some places it could cause a build up of salt which can damage the plants.
Step 3. Sprinkle some ash on each layer of the compost bin, and it will help break down the organic material
Step 4. Fine a very clayey soil with ash:
breaks down the ground and makes it more aerated.
Step 5. Use ash to keep pests away
Spreading it lightly throughout your garden will keep worms, aphids, slugs, snails, and nightworms (a type of butterfly) at bay. Sprinkle the ash again after heavy rain.
Step 6. To prevent the ash from spreading where you do not want to put it when there is not too much wind, otherwise you run the risk that it will be carried away before it has time to settle on the ground
Step 7. Be careful when using ashes in your garden
- The ash contains a lot of caustic soda, which is corrosive. That's why you don't have to put it on young seedlings. Use gloves and a mask to avoid breathing dust and protect your eyes with sunglasses or goggles.
- Avoid using ash made from cardboard, charcoal, or painted wood. Contains chemicals that can harm plants.
- Monitor the soil to make sure it doesn't get too alkaline (basic). Use a kit to check the pH or have a sample examined in a lab.
Step 8. To get more ash, burn hard wood and not soft wood
Hardwood produces 3 times the amount of ash than softwood.
Advice
You could add urine to the ash. A study published in 2009 in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry says that human urine mixed with wood ash produced substantial improvements in tomato production
Warnings
- Do not put ashes on potato plants as it may promote potato scabies.
- Avoid mixing the ash with a fertilizer that contains nitrogen, as ammonia vapors may form which are dangerous.
