use for ash?

Question

anyone have any idea of what i could use ash for? i burn wood and turf everyday and have bucket-loads of ash. is there any use for it what-so-ever?

Answer 1

Wood ashes are highly alkaline (high pH). They contain small amounts of potassium, phosphate, boron and other elements. The fine particle size of ash tends to plug the pores of clay soils leading to water penetration and drainage problems. However they are good for sandy, acidic soils. Wood ashes comtain 32% CaO compared to dolomitic limestone 15% MgO + 35% CaO.
An average application is 5 to 10 pounds per 100 square feet, scattered on a freshly tilled soil and raked in. For a pre-plant treatment, it is best to apply ashes 3 or 4 weeks in advance of planting. They also can be side dressed around growing plants or used as mulch. A ring of ashes around a plant may ward off snails and slugs because the ashes are irritating to them but they should not touch the plant.
Avoid contact between freshly spread ashes and germinating seeds or new plant roots by spreading ashes a few inches away from plants. Ashes that settle on foliage can cause burning. Prevent this by thoroughly rinsing plants after applying ashes. Because they are alkaline, avoid using ashes around azaleas, camellias, white potatoes, blueberries and other acid-loving plants.

Bulb Fertilizer
2 lbs. blood meal
2 lbs. bonemeal
2 lbs. wood ashes from fire pit or fire place

To counter the ashes alkalinity use them with acidic coffee grounds in your own fertilizer.
2-4-2 = N-P-K
4 parts coffee ground
1 part bone meal
1 part wood ashes

Answer 2

As far as the ash is concerned. Take a five gallon bucket and make one or various holes on the bottom and place some rocks, dried palm netting, cheese cloth or pine needles on the bottom of the bucket so the ashes will not come out. And now, fill it with ONLY wood ash BUT as soon as you have burnt up the wood (and making sure it did not rain on the ashes). That is, while the ashes are still hot. Then you heat up 2 to 4 gallons of rain water or distilled water. Pour it into and on the ashes that are in the 5 gallon bucket. Why? Because you want it to go through a chemical reaction where these ashes leech out potassium hydroxide and maybe might leech out other chemicals like a little or some sodium hydroxide, boron, etc.. What for? Because you are going to buy a pack of PH test strips at a health food store for PH testing of the resulting water (leeched chemicals from your 5 gallon bucket of wood ash) that is called Lye (Lye water). What do you want to know about its PH? You are going to be looking for that Lye water to give you the result of 14 on that PH test strip. If it is less THEN you need to pour the Lye water again into the ash bucket to concentrate it more if you get any number less than 10 to 14. Number 7 is neutral acid-base. Number 8 is a weak base. Number 9 is slightly stronger base. Number 10 base is sold in crystal form as 10% Potassium Hydroxide. And now you ask, Why would I want Lye water with a PH of 14. Answer: It is the strongest base and this is what you use to make soft soap. But you need to be careful because it will burn you if you touch it with your bare hands. You must use gloves and goggles. Also keep water (dilutant) and vinegar (acid) nearby to dilute or neutralize lye if you get in on your skin. If you wish to learn how to make your own lye soap with animal fat, lard and vegetable shortening. Then you can start by looking it up on YOUTUBE.COM/VIDEOS/HOW TO MAKE LYE and HOW TO MAKE LYE SOAP or
P.S. You can also learn how to make soap with sodium hydroxide crystals and can learn to make it with youtube videos. But basically what you asked was about what could wood ash be used for because you had barrels full of it. So if I were you I would make a LOT of soap! So good luck if you decide to go ahead with this idea and please make a video and put it on youtube for me and others to learn more. Thank you!

Answer 3

If you live where the soils are acidic, ash can be used as a soil ammendment or to sprinkle over garden bugs such as squash bugs. In the arid climates where soils are alkaline, ash is not recommended in the garden.

Answer 4

Ash is good for breaking up clay soils, sprinkle over the top oand let the rain wash it in. is also good as an ash path.

Answer 5

If it's oak ash you can mix some water with it and make a paste that will polish silver, gold, and other shinies

Answer 6

mix it in your soil its good for it plus sprinkle some on top slugs hate the feel of it

Answer 7

If you scatter it in your garden it fertilizes, but don't use too much. Just a light sprinkling.

Answer 8

I heard its good for mixing with soil.

Answer 9

if youve got a composter stick it in, but not too much, its good for it. xx

Answer 10

it deters slugs if you scatter it in the garden