If you have a wood heater or fireplace, you need to clean it during the colder months. ash often. In no time, you’ll be accumulating several buckets of ash per week. What to do with all these remains? they can be many handy in your orchard or garden. Let’s try to make good use of this dusty gray byproduct.
According to the ‘Ecoinventos’ portal, ashes and lumps of coal are full of minerals. Additionally, its natural alkalinity and slightly abrasive texture means that wood ash has many uses in the home, garden or orchard.
It’s important to note that this list assumes you’re burned out. clean wood and untreated wood, like the painted one. Hardwoods typically contain more nutrients than softer woods such as pine, but softwoods produce softer ash than hardwoods.
embers may remain hot for days. Make sure the wood ash has cooled completely before using it at home.
A good suggestion to start is: wear gloves when working with wood ash.
The use of wood ash in the garden
Wood ash is enriched with many minerals it contains as wood: calcium, potassium, magnesium and other trace elements to name a few.
Remember, if left in the rain, it quickly loses all of its water-soluble beneficial minerals. So you have to keep the ash well.
For consideration, do not use wood ash for plants that prefer acidic soil, such as potatoes, blueberries, hydrangeas or azaleas.
The use of wood ash in the garden
- Correct the acidity of the soil. You can use ashes to balance the pH of acidic soils. It is best to test the pH of your soil before applying, but generally apply between 2-4 kg of ash per 10 square meters. The best time to do this is before planting, when you can pour it directly into the soil. If you apply wood ash to the soil with young plants already growing, be sure to rinse them off afterwards as the ash can burn the young leaves.
- Improve your compost. Ash can increase the microbial environment of your compost, providing your compost with much-needed oxygen, making the microbes very happy. The porous nature of charcoal also means that all of these minerals in the ash are absorbed and retained in your compost rather than being lost in the rain.
- Stop snails and slugs. Snails and slugs can ruin a garden. You can stop them by making an ash ring around plants susceptible to snails and slugs.
- End fruit rot. Seeing that first black spot on your tomatoes is enough to make anyone cry because you know it’s just the beginning. Avoid this early in the season by giving the plants an extra dose of calcium. When planting tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers and peppers, sprinkle a handful of wood ash in the hole before placing the plant in the soil.
- Eliminates algae in still water. When it comes to using ash in a pool, a little goes a long way. You can use about one tablespoon for every 4,000 liters of water. Be careful if you are unsure of your water volume; start small and give it a few days before adding more ash.
- Prevents freeze damage to crops. When temperatures start to drop in autumn, the danger of frost begins. You can dust your plants with some powdered wood ash to prevent frost damage.
- Save the seeds for next year. Seeds that are not stored properly lose their viability and do not germinate. It is very important to store the seeds in a good insulating environment that absorbs moisture. Add ash to the container where you store the seeds to reduce moisture and preserve them.
- Encourage ants to move. Throwing ashes into an anthill will encourage them to gather and find another place to live.
Reference article: https://ecoinventos.com/usos-de-la-ceniza-en-huerto-o-jardin/#more-124048
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Contact details of the environment department: crisisclimatica@prensaiberica.es
Source: Informacion
James Sean is a writer for “Social Bites”. He covers a wide range of topics, bringing the latest news and developments to his readers. With a keen sense of what’s important and a passion for writing, James delivers unique and insightful articles that keep his readers informed and engaged.