permaculture

[Kai Vido <kaivido@yahoo.com>]

We have used wood ashes in our gardens, compost systems and fields for
25 years with no negative results. Of course we burn only "pure wood",
not the stuff treated with preservatives, paint etc. I might also add
that the soil in this part of New Brunswick, Canada, is very acidic--pH
of 4.6 to 5.2. 

In our composting system, "red wiggler" worms are a vital factor. They
literally do most of the work, and with proper management they make
perfect compost in a matter of weeks. A portion of wood ash is usually
mixed with the manure, straw etc., and it apparently has no harmful
effect on the worms--or the plants that receive the compost.

If the soil is very alkaline, or if you burn questionable materials in
your stove/fireplace, ashes may not be a useful addition.

kai vido

--- Allan Balliett <aballiett@frontiernet.net> wrote:

> Karen -
> 
> First off, it depends on what sort of wood ashes you are talking 
> about. Are you talking about hardwood ashes from a fireplace or wood 
> stove?
> 
> If so, I think that wood ash has a value to the soil that outweights 
> the dangers that recent posts have emphasized. You certainly don't 
> want to put a lot on and, if you have high pH like I have, you are 
> going to have to deal with that pH in some fashion, as well.
> 
> I'll post more information about the nutritional/biological value of 
> wood ash to this list as I get a chance. In the meantime, think 
> 'slash and burn.' Fertility declines AFTER the ash is exhausted and 
> the ash does NOT inhibit germination or plant growth.
> 
> But I'll see what else others say and post it here.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> -Allan
> 
> >So, any suggestions on what to do with the wood ashes?  Pick one
> spot 
> >and designate it as the 'ash dump'?  Get them off the property? To 
> >where?
> >The soil only needs a tad, we don't want to breathe them or have
> them 
> >in our water,  not in the compost... Is it safe to use them to
> dampen
> >plant growth, say along a fence line that is hard to mow?
> >
> >Karen
> >
> >
> >On Dec 17, 2006, at 8:08 AM, Lawrence F. London, Jr. wrote:
> >
> >>  john norton wrote:
> >>
> >>>  Hi
> >>>  Be careful if using wood ash as a soil amendment. The
> >>>  burning can form polycyclic aromatiic hydrocarboms
> >>>  PAHs in the ash, which can be acutely toxic to plants
> >>>  and people and they can be carcinogenic.
> >>
> >>  If at all, only use small amounts of wood ashes in
> >>  gardens. A friend years ago put all the ashes from his wood stove
> 
> >>  on his large garden
> >  > year after year. The soil became poisoned and very little would 
> >>  grow in it. It took him years to get it back to normal.
> >>
> >>  Never add wood ashes or any pH mediating product to a compost
> pile. 
> >>  The bacteria in compost regulate pH themselves;
> >>  if you override this with ashes or lime the pile will cease to 
> >>  function normally and you will end up with poor compost.
> >
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