What to do with ash?

fuzyfelt

Hi,

Moved house a few months ago, and got a real fire which we have just got fired up and going. I'm wondering though what I can do with all the ash (from smokeless fuel and wood) that we're producing - probably 1/2 a supermarket carrier bag every time I clean it out after a fire. I think I read a while ago it can't be composted - can I use it anywhere else in the garden? Anything else I can do with it except throw it away?

Ta,

Andy

Sola

Dig it into the soil. It'll bump up the nutrients and your plants will thank you for it.

McAzrael

Just put it straight on to the garden - no need to compost. You can dig it in if it looks unsightly. It does help improve the soil.

Edit: Nimble fingers there Sola.

basil92

McAzrael wrote: »

Just put it straight on to the garden - no need to compost. You can dig it in if it looks unsightly. It does help improve the soil.

Edit: Nimble fingers there Sola.

i'd second,third and fourth that! thats what ive done for years

computerwoman

I had loads left over from my bonfires this year and as I couldn't get under the fence at the back to get at the weeds I chucked the ash down in between the fences and this has stopped it so far....although it could have stopped just because it's winter:rotfl:...but I'll find out next year...:D

droopsnout

Spread it around the plants that slugs attack. They don't like crossing ash as it sticks to their goo and interferes with their movement.

Ash I believe contains potash (potassium) which is the food element that encourages production of seeds and fruit, so if you have fruit trees or bushes, they'll appreciate a handful or two.

But it's not quite as simple as that ... See here.

droopsnout

Oh yes, just remembered ... Does your wood burner have a glass door? If so, use some of the wood ash, mixed with a little water (make a paste, if you like) to clean the glass of all those stains. It's free and more effective than just about any commercial product!

Debt_Free_Chick

Wood ash is fine to go on the garden. Strictly speaking, you shouldn't put ash from coal or smokeless fuel onto the garden as it's potentially damaging (carcinogenic, I believe).

However, thousands of folk have done so for years.

computerwoman

we used to have cinder paths in our garden when I was a child....amazing...:D

John_3:16

Also use it to clean the oven door as well as the woodburner door.

vansboy

But dont just throw it on the soil, fork it in, else it'll blow all over the place, when it's windy!

VB