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i know that i can use my bonfire ash on my overwintered garlic as a potash feed in spring but what else can i use the ash on and when ???

not too sure on this,ive been told we can use it anywhere so just dug a load in where we plan to plant the pumpkins,ill be interested to see what other answers you get
rach
x

You can use it on potato beds if you have a problem with wireworm but be careful not to put too much down as it can cause the potatoes to form scabs.

just been reading a 'dig for victory' book, they suggest it for beans and peas , so we've just emptied the incinerator where they are going to go and raked it in  ;D

any thing that produces flowers and fruit!! ;) it's a slow release fertiliser, peticularly good on fruit (raspberries, gooseberries) ;)

so any plant that fruits would benifit, is that right? when is the best time to apply? at planting or when the plants start to flower? ???

apply in the spring, for best results. it is a slow release fertiliser. ;)

It's not that slow, as potash is very soluble. I put it on onions and garlic at this time of year, and fruit a bit later.

I have never had a lot of success with fire ash, be it bonfire or wood ash. The rain washes out what little bit of goodness that is left after burning. It won't hurt but do not expect it to be 'miracle grow'. Great for breaking up clay though.

An extract from my website;


Wood ash from a bonfire or wood burning stove is a useful soil improver.

The type of wood burned can have different results; e.g.

Ash from untreated wood has a slight liming action and can be used to raise soil pH.

Ash produced from young sappy growth contains potassium and traces of other nutrients.

On the other hand; older mature wood tends to contain lower concentra­tions of nutrients.

The actual nutrient content of ash varies so precise application is difficult, listed below are a few suggestions;

Where ash contains large particles, it is probably best to dig this in to improve the structure of the soil.

Adding finer ash to the compost heap / bin in thin layers will allow it to blend with other materials.

Alternatively; rake the fine ash into the surface of the soil if you are sure of its content.(see note below)

n.b . In the event that some unknown product with toxic properties may have been burned along with the wood, it is probably safer to allow ash to 'weather' in a heap for a few weeks, before spreading it around growing plants.

Coal ash is best avoided because it has a negligible nutrient content and its fine particle size means it is of little benefit to soil structure, plus, it may contain toxic by-products.

Coal ash is good for paths, but very little else.

As I have just ordered a wood burning stove, I've found your comments useful.
I'm planning to burn 'Ash' to produce 'ash' - sorry (:D) Free supply.
Intend to use on fruit, didn't know it was a soil improver which is good news?

thanks again for all the replies they were all useful but following from some of the replies my ash comes from mainly young sappy plants so I'm assuming it should be higher in the potash amts, it didn't really get rained on cause as soon as it was cool and before the autumn rains started last year i sieved it out and put it in a bucket which was stored in the greenhouse over the winter, so I'm assuming most of the beneficial nutrients are still present. when spreading the ash do i have to ensure its not touching the plant itself, will it burn it like some fertilisers as it wasnot weathered???

Thifasmom, I don't think it will burn the leaves, but I'm sure someone much more experienced could vouch for that. I've just added loads to my garlic beds. I've also read (somewhere) about carrots, and someone was using it as part of the growing medium. Thought I might give this a go as well to see how it works.

I just chuck it over plants, and I've never noticed any damage at all.

thanks guys i'll chuck some on today :)