Can I dump ashes from a fire on my garden?

Answer 1

Yes, but with some words of caution. Wood ash is somewhat beneficial to the soil because it contains essential plant nutrients. Depending on the type of wood, the ash may contain five to eight percent potash, one percent phosphate and trace amounts of micro-nutrients such as iron, manganese, boron, copper and zinc.

On the other hand, wood ash may be detrimental to some soils because of its effect on the soil chemistry. When applied to the soil, it acts much like limestone by raising the pH or alkalinity of the soil. Unlike limestone, however, wood ash has high water solubility and works more quickly to change the soil pH. This may cause a problem in many gardens that tend to have a naturally high soil pH. Wood ashes should not be applied around acid-loving plants, such as azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries. Although a soil test is the best way to determine whether it is advisable to apply wood ashes to garden soil, an annual application of no more than 20 pounds sprinkled over 1,000 square feet of the lawn or garden in the winter or early spring should be safe to turf and garden plants.

Answer 2

Fireplace Ash Garden

Answer 3

You've gotten some great answers, but no one has yet mentioned the different conditions needed for specific plants. The ashes can improve the soil for some types of plants. Some websites and gardening books will have a chart so you can better determine what is the best way to distribute the ashes.
Another note- if you have chickens or other poultry, they will enjoy a pile of ashes where they can use them for a dust bath. I know it may sound odd, but watch and see. Actually this is how they fight bird lice ( all birds have them but they are not harmful to humans, as they are host-specific and will die quickly on us)
Enjoy your garden! It's so healthy for your body, and as a stress reducer.

Answer 4

My parents are very garden saavy people. They always had a garden, compost pile, and a fireplace. And of course, I helped out a whole lot. I can not remember putting ashes from the fireplace into the vegetable garden. I can remember putting compost into the garden. There was one compost pile for composted leaves and another compost pile for vegetable peels, coffee grinds, etc... Dad would go outside the home to get manure or wood chips. My guess would be to not put it in the garden. I don't think it would hurt the garden, but it doesn't strike me as one of those things that you till into the ground.

Answer 5

I tried that on my grass and it was supposed to add ash to the garden for some very good reason but I could not tell you if it worked or not. I just had big clumps of wet ash on the lawn that looked terrible. But I hear it is a good thing; wish I could tell you why!

Answer 6

It really depends on the type of soil that you have. I am referring to the pH of the soil. Generally, ash if it is wood ash sweetens the soil and that is great --but not for acid loving plants, so it would be best to check out your soil. A great site to check out garden, plant info is www.pallensmith. easy to use and lots of info. Good luck

Answer 7

Its your garden, do what you want to with it. Should you? I suspect it's a good idea if you haven't burned anything toxic. In forests, the ashes from forest fires help to fertilze the soil for new growth.

Answer 8

In south american countries, slash and burn agriculture is used to return nutrients to the very poor soil found in those regions. However, nearly all the nutrients are found in the leaves of the plants, so ashes from paper, logs, and whatever, is not likely to be much benefit. If they are from fallen leaves, it might be ok, but in that case I'd just used the leaves as mulch. In short, I wouldn't bother.

Answer 9

Oh Yes, pot ash is great slow release fertilizer, like lime! Especially around Lilac. Have fun, get some snow shoes and truck around your yard all winter spreading ash in the snow!

Answer 10

In the grass? I wouldn't suggest that, it would look gross after a good watering. And I can tell you from experience, it doesnt go away as soon as you like.

You could mix them in with the dirt, its only burned wood, so it shouldnt hurt. Right?

Dont listen to me ;o)