Let's say I let kitchen scraps dry out and then burned them. Would the ashes be just as nutritious as compost left by bacteria of similar kitchen scraps? Burning them would be faster than letting them sit for weeks to make compost and I just wanted to know if they are both good for gardens or if they are the same basic thing. Thanks.
2007-12-28 12:52:38 · 6 answers · asked by Dr. Evil 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
No. The nutrition in compost does not come from the scraps, but rather the offal of worms, bugs, and other microbes that compost/munch on dead matter. The moisture content in scraps is essential for bacteria and other microbial decomposition, as well as to attract worms and bugs that aid in composting.
Burning your scraps will not produce potash (as wood does).
2007-12-28 13:17:30 · answer #1 · answered by Lady S 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
When you burn you are left essentially with the mineral content. You will lose the Nitrogen. Composting allows bacteria to break the scraps down into forms that the plants can use, including the Nitrogen. The ashes still provide the Iron, most of the Potassium and Phosphorous though. Ash from most plant material is alkaline, not acidic as in the previous answer. Coal ash tends to be acidic because of the supler content.
2007-12-28 23:33:58 · answer #2 · answered by Charles C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all the same. The ashes of the kitchen scraps wouldn't be much of an addition.
To compost the scraps first would increas the nutrition of the scraps. It grows benificial microbes, and attracts worms, etc. Also the humus left by rotting vegitation is a very benificial thing to add to soil. It increases the CEC (cation exchange capacity) increasing the ability of the soil to hold nutriens until the plants use them.
When it comes to gardening, fast in not better.
2007-12-28 17:01:03 · answer #3 · answered by bahbdorje 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Simply put, NO!
Compost is made from very specific refuse and burning is not the method for extracting the full potential for nutrients. You would be better off just throwing the scraps out on the lawn and letting them decompose naturally .
2007-12-28 15:31:23 · answer #4 · answered by LucySD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ash from burning kitchen scraps is not as good for your soil as compost. Also, you should only use ash in your compost pile if your soil is naturally more acidic. If your soil tends toward the alkaline, the ash will make it more so.
2007-12-28 13:56:26 · answer #5 · answered by AD 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm thinking no and I have never heard of that. Only wood ash is recommended for use in the garden.
2007-12-28 12:56:29 · answer #6 · answered by Sword Lily 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋