From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ohio

Can someone please tell me about wood ash,I have alot of this, should it be applied to the patch or would you add it to the compost pile? Or does it matter? I dont want to be adding to much if its gonna turn my plant to toast like the 0-0-60 did last year to my 1178 Wentzell. Since wood ashes is Pottassum it would be considered a brown for composting right guys?

Brooks

1/4/2005 7:07:10 PM

Butler, Ohio

I've been wondering the same thing myself, I've been emptying them onto my compost pile.

1/4/2005 8:34:44 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Wood ash is very alkaline an will throw your ph off if used to heavily. Same thing with your compost pile, a little wood ash goes along way.

1/4/2005 9:19:33 PM

Follansbee, Wv

That's right. Even composting will not alter the alkalinity of wood ash. If you have a low pH, but need the potash, consider a different source. As far as a brown or green goes, it is a neutral, as there is nothing left to decompose.

1/4/2005 9:52:33 PM

Garden

This is interesting, as I have been collecting ash from fire pits, and was planning to till it in.
Not to jack your thread Brooks, but what if your ph is right on, and potash is depleated? Recommendations?

1/5/2005 12:00:51 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

If the pH is correct & the potash is low then you need a non-reactive form of soluble potassium.

Chemical forms are:
13-0-44 potassium Nitrate
0-0-60 Muriate of Potash (or Potassium Chloride)

Organic Sources are:
0-0-50 Sulfate of Potash (or Potassium Sulfate)

Low solubility sources of Potash include Kelp Meal, Greensand, etc. Analysis of these vary by source location.

1/5/2005 12:13:04 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Monty if you have a low PH below 7(acidic) wood ash with a ph around 11.0(alkaline)would be OK just like lime. Just beware of the amount you are using.

1/5/2005 3:18:33 PM