is ashes from a fire ok to put into the compost?

Answer 1

It would depend on two things - what you burn - wood or coal (briquettes) and how much compost and ashes you have, and what sort of ratio your talking about.

Wood ash is very alkaline, and would make the end product of you compost alkaline too. Great if you want to grow alkaline loving plants, but not much good for the general garden, UNLESS you soil is very acidic, in which case it would help make it more ph balanced.
Coal ashes set very hard, like a solid block of clay, and probably won't do any soil much good.

Happy gardening.

Answer 2

Yes ashes are great for compost so long as you don't overload the pile with them. Also I have seen it many times where hot ashes have been put inside compost piles, and years of hard work are erased. Grass that gets hit by fire grows back thicker and greener, perhaps its the carbon that really gives that extra green push. Good luck :)

Answer 3

Usually it is fine to add clean ash to compost. Just be sure you didn't burn plastics or anything that may prove toxic. Wood, paper, tree and grass clippings and coal and charcoal ash is fine.

Answer 4

That really depends on what you have been burning in your fire. If you are burning "fake logs" I wouldn't recommend it; however if you are burning "real" wood, then not only is it okay to compost it, but it's also perfectly fine to simply add to the garden, without the hassle of composting, providing of course your plants need a lower acid soil.

North America exported wood ash to Britain in the 18th century as a fertilizer, and today, 80 per-cent of the ash produced commercially in the Northeastern United States is applied to the land.

Since wood ash is derived from plant material, it contains most of the 13 essential nutrients the soil must have for good plant growth and health.

When wood burns, nitrogen and sulfur are lost as gases, and calcium, potassium, magnesium and trace element compounds remain. The remaining carbonates and oxides are valuable liming agents, raising pH, thus neutralizing acid soils. Soils that are acid and low in potassium benefit from wood ash. However, acid-loving plants such as blueberries, cranberries, rhododendrons and azaleas would not do well at all with an application of wood ash.

Wood ash has a very fine particle size, so it reacts rapidly and completely in the soil. Although small amounts of nutrients are applied with wood ash, the main effect is that it is a liming agent. The average ash is equivalent to a 0-1-3 (N-P-K). The chemical makeup varies with the type of wood burned. Hardwoods produce three times as much ash per cord as do softwoods.

Wood ash should never be applied to areas where potatoes will be planted as ash can promote potato scab.

For most garden soil, 20 pounds (about a 5-gallon pail) per 1,000 square feet can be applied safely each year. That equals about 6 pounds of ground limestone applied to the same area.

The best time to apply wood ash is in the spring when the soil is dry and before tilling. In compost piles wood ash can be used to maintain a neutral condition, the best environment for microorganisms to break down organic materials. Sprinkle ash on each layer of compost. This is especially good if you have oak leaves or pine needles in your compost heap.

Wood ash can be used to repel insects, slugs and snails because it draws water out of these invertebrates. Sprinkle ash around the base of your plants to discourage surface-feeding insects. Once ash gets wet, it loses its deterring properties. Too much ash can increase pH or accumulate high levels of salts that can be harmful to some plants, so use ashes carefully.

Ash should be stored in a metal container with a secure lid. This helps prevent accidental fires from live coals and prevents water from flowing through the ash and leaching out the nutrients before the materials are applied to the soil.

Caution should be used when handling wood ash:

Protect yourself as you would if you were handling household bleach or any other strong alkaline material. Wear eye protection, gloves and a dust mask.
Do not use ash from burning trash, cardboard; coal or pressure-treated, painted or stained wood. These materials contain potentially harmful chemicals, The glue in cardboard contains boron, an element that can inhibit plant growth if applied in excess.
Do not scatter ashes during windy periods.
Do not mix ash with nitrogen fertilizer as ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrates or urea. These fertilizers lose their nitrogen as ammonia gas when mixed with high pH materials such as wood ash. For a lawn, wait at least a month after wood ash is applied before putting down a nitrogen fertilizer to allow for the soil to reduce the alkalinity of the wood ash.
Never leave wood ash in lumps or piles. Concentrated piles of wood ash causes excessive salt build-up in the soil through leaching and can create a harmful environment for plants.

Answer 5

Wood/paper ashes are ok, coal ashes are not. Be sure to mix them in well.

Answer 6

yes as long as the ashes AR cooled

Answer 7

We put charcoal ashes in and they seem to really help with the process.

Answer 8

yes, it is very good for a compost.

Answer 9

it is called pot ash and yes really good have fun with it.

Answer 10

It will not hurt a thing.