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  • From: Jim Fruth <jfruth@uslink.net>
  • To: <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [NAFEX] Hardwood Ash
  • Date: Fri, 03 Dec 2004 04:59:42 -0600

Hardwood ash, or any ashes, for that matter is/are a fertilizer in that
it/they are a source of potassium that can be readily used by plants. The
problem with ashes used as a fertilizer is that it contains potassium
hydroxide which is only a slight step less toxic than lye (sodium
hydroxide). Ashes also contain a bit of sodium hydroxide plus some
insoluble phosphorus. The phosphorus can be used by plants only after soil,
bacteria convert it into a more soluble form. Ashes contain nearly zero
nitrogen.
Really, though, ashes is/are close to the worst form of fertilizer
unless your soil is too acid and you want to sweeten it.

Jim Fruth
Pequot Lakes, MN





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