ash in compost

[redimp]

I have been offered some ash for my compost heap.  I have always avoided putting ash on my compost heap but I know others who do.  What does everybody else think.  My heap is in a plastic cone and has a very healthy Brandling population and produces good dark crumbly compost.

[redimp]

[Palustris]

A small quantity of wood ash should be ok, butI would definitely not put coal ash on.

[growmore]

If Your compost heap is working well with worms and decompositon etc I would leave well alone and not mix ashes into it...If the ash is well weathered it could be dug in  ground to aid drainage ....  cheers ..Jim

[philcooper]

What kind of ash is it?

[redimp]

Wood ash from a pub fire.

[philcooper]

Small quantities on the compost heap are ok.

Wood ash tends to be slightly alkaline so should not be used in great quantities on chalky soils.

It is generally thought to be a good source of potash but this is only true if the wood that was burned was relatively young - ash from old wood has very little nutrients

Phil

[Gardenantics]

I may be stating the obvious here but be careful with ash from other people as you don't know what they burnt! It could contain all sorts of heavy metals from old paint, so just use your ash from bonfires you control. I have never used it in compost heaps, but scatter it directly under fruit bushes with manure, and no ill effects seen, but lots of fruit!

Brian