I think i read a post on here but can't find it about dumping the ash in the garden to help notarize the soil is this correct?
Ash in the garden
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drz1050
Minister of Fire
It helps something with the soil, not sure what... you can also put it around the base of trees to give them a little cannibalistic love.
Wilbur Feral
Minister of Fire
A bit of info from a guy near you (and me), who does the weekly gardening show on WHYY (and nationally known for his expertise): http://www.gardensalive.com/product/using-wood-ash-wisely/
Most soil east of the Mississippi tends to be acidic, so wood ash (alkaline) can help, and be used instead of lime. As noted, hardwood ash is MUCH preferred, but pellets in our area tend to be hardwood, so that's easy enough. But you can overdo it, and some plants prefer acidic soil. Best to get a simple ph test from a local garden center (not a fan of the meters) and see what current ph of your soil is, then amend it with ash at about the same rate as lime in terms of lbs / square feet and after a month or two retest, once ash has dissolved into ground. As noted in article you might be able to go a bit heavier using ash than lime, but play it safe. People tend to want instant fixes, but ph - altering substances tend to move through soil slowly, often at about 1 inch per year. Tilling it in can of course greatly accelerate this, but tilling has its own issues as well. Come spring, though, when you can work the soil as needed, you can add a bit more if necessary, so save the ash not used.
BTW, Penn State has a world class horticultural dept., and for just a few dollars at many garden centers you can get a soil test envelope and send them a sample of your soil. Results (the envelope fee pays for the test) will be very thorough analysis and a prescription for exactly what your soil needs, depending on how you're using it and what you're growing.
Most soil east of the Mississippi tends to be acidic, so wood ash (alkaline) can help, and be used instead of lime. As noted, hardwood ash is MUCH preferred, but pellets in our area tend to be hardwood, so that's easy enough. But you can overdo it, and some plants prefer acidic soil. Best to get a simple ph test from a local garden center (not a fan of the meters) and see what current ph of your soil is, then amend it with ash at about the same rate as lime in terms of lbs / square feet and after a month or two retest, once ash has dissolved into ground. As noted in article you might be able to go a bit heavier using ash than lime, but play it safe. People tend to want instant fixes, but ph - altering substances tend to move through soil slowly, often at about 1 inch per year. Tilling it in can of course greatly accelerate this, but tilling has its own issues as well. Come spring, though, when you can work the soil as needed, you can add a bit more if necessary, so save the ash not used.
BTW, Penn State has a world class horticultural dept., and for just a few dollars at many garden centers you can get a soil test envelope and send them a sample of your soil. Results (the envelope fee pays for the test) will be very thorough analysis and a prescription for exactly what your soil needs, depending on how you're using it and what you're growing.
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RKS130
Minister of Fire
lagger
Feeling the Heat
Bret Chase
Minister of Fire
You need to be careful with the amount of ash applied... the leachate of wood ash is KOH... Potassium Hydroxide..aka caustic potash... aka potassium lye. it is far more basic than calcium carbonate (garden lime). KOH has a pKa of 13.5.... CaCO3 has a pKa of only 9. It is very easy to drive the pH up waaaay too high, frying the soil for years with wood ash.
Like other people have said... get your soil tested, and follow the recommendations
Skier76
Minister of Fire
It means a Notary of the Public has to sign, along with a witness. The Notary will then "stamp" the soil with a stamp stating they are a notary in good standing.
Sorry, I'm being a smartarse. I think the poster meant "neutralize".
sportbikerider78
Minister of Fire
Bret Chase
Minister of Fire
yes, you could use it on weaker weeds.... unfortunately, if you've got a more difficult one, like chinese bittersweet or american bamboo... it's not going to help.
I sweep it into my paver walkways. Fills the gaps, and keeps the grass and moss out very nicely.
SidecarFlip
Minister of Fire
SidecarFlip
Minister of Fire
While we are in the humor mode, is ash on the garden similar to dew on the cucumber?
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