Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: JT on February 08, 2012, 11:27:27 AM

Title: Uses for ash
Post by: JT on February 08, 2012, 11:27:27 AM

Just wondering if anyone knows of any uses for ash?  I heard some use it in gardens, so I was wondering if it would fertilize my yard?  I know it sounds like a dump question but hopefully someone can stop laughting long enough to help.  Thanks JT

Title: Re: Uses for ash
Post by: Retired on February 08, 2012, 11:53:39 AM

Wood ashes can be used for top dressing a lawn not more then 1/4 -1/2 " per year . The ash will really help a garden it contains Potossium some phosphorous and magnesium. Hard wood ash has more of the good stuff then soft wood .  Don't use it in an area where you are going to plant potatoes but other veggies like it.  My Amish neighbors use a lot of ash in thier gardens.  When I was a kid ( a long time ago )  we burned coal and dad used the coal ash ( cinders) on the drive way and side walk for anti slip on Ice.   It worked great   However I don't think wood ash would work for this .

Title: Re: Uses for ash
Post by: chadley on February 08, 2012, 12:13:14 PM

I may have been told wrong but I was told that it would make your ground more acidic.  idk.  Anybody else heard this.  I'm  a social studies teacher not a science techer.  ;D

Title: Re: Uses for ash
Post by: Scott7m on February 08, 2012, 12:30:19 PM

Wood ash is good for your soil, coal ash will kill it...

Title: Re: Uses for ash
Post by: Retired on February 08, 2012, 05:01:52 PM

Quote from: chadley on February 08, 2012, 12:13:14 PM

I may have been told wrong but I was told that it would make your ground more acidic.  idk.  Anybody else heard this.  I'm  a social studies teacher not a science techer.  ;D

Actually wood ash is about 50% as effective as calclum carbonate in neutralizing acidic soil.  It would take a lot of wood ash to harm the garden. You would have to burn a lot of wood it takes one cord of wood to make about 50 or 60 # of ash.   Most veggies like wood ash especially tomatoes, but potatoes do not.   

Title: Re: Uses for ash
Post by: BoilerHouse on February 08, 2012, 05:19:16 PM

In the spring, I clean everything up by mixing ashes with the chips made from the chain saw (might even through in whatever accumulated from the table saw) toss in whatever has composted in the bin and spread this concoction on any low spots in the yard.

Title: Re: Uses for ash
Post by: MattyNH on February 08, 2012, 06:35:15 PM

Got apple trees?..Wood ash is good for them...Ive been putting my ashes around my neighbor's apple trees.. Like most on here say good for gardens, lawns...I don't think Id be spreading around coal ash if your burning