Feeding pepper with ash

Like other garden crops, bell peppers need periodic fertilization. Because it has a beneficial effect on its growth, yield and immunity. It is necessary to comply with the timing of the introduction of dressings. And the rules for their application. Top dressing of pepper with ash is very popular with experienced gardeners.

Its composition rich in microelements makes it an effective feeding. Especially in conditions of high acidity of the soil or its depletion. Since ash is easy to obtain, it is a widely available and very low-cost agricultural method for increasing yields.

Ash composition and its effect on the soil

Useful substances contained in wood or branches, when burned, migrate to ash. These include not only phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium. And also about three dozen other trace elements. For example, boron, manganese, iron, etc.

It is noteworthy that this entire set is not just good for bell peppers. It is also the best balanced. It is also easily absorbed by plants. In the process of combustion, the sulfur and nitrogen contained in the wood pass into a gaseous state. At the same time, useful compounds (carbonates, oxides) are retained in the ash.

The type of ash depends, as a rule, on the type of wood from which it came out. And also on which parts of the plant were burned. Ash composition directly depends on the chemical composition of the starting material. So, the ash formed from the combustion of young branches, as well as from the burning of oak, elm or larch wood, is rich in potassium. The same element is found in herbal ash.

Burning old wood produces ash that is abundant in calcium. On average, wood ash contains: calcium carbonate - 17%, calcium silicate - 17%, calcium sulfate - 12-14%, calcium chloride - 12-14%, calcium orthophosphate - about 13%, potassium carbonate - 4%, potassium silicate - 4%. And also sodium orthophosphate - about 15%, sodium chloride - 0.5%.

The use of ash has a beneficial effect not only on the nutritional value of the soil. But also at the level of its acidity. And also on beneficial microorganisms that live in it. These include nitrogen fixers. Bacteria that can assimilate molecular nitrogen. And translate it into forms suitable for plants.

The beneficial effect of ash, as a rule, has the property of being preserved for a long time. Despite its easy digestibility by plants. Thus, ash is an excellent complex alkaline fertilizer. That helps to increase the yield of bell peppers.

Feeding pepper with ash: pros and cons

The list of the positive qualities of ash is impressive:

1. Calcium-based compounds affect the normalization of plant metabolism at the cellular level. They make perennials more resistant to winter cold. And annuals help to endure sudden frosts easier. They also have a positive effect on the process of photosynthesis. There is also an increase in immunity in seedlings and adult plants.
2. The high sodium orthophosphate content helps regulate the fluid balance in plant tissues. With a lack of this compound, ammonia accumulates in them. Which leads to a slowdown in the growth and fruiting of bell peppers.
3. Magnesium-based compounds play an important role in bud formation and development.And also in the very process of flowering.
4. Bell peppers need a sufficient supply of sodium compounds. Since their deficiency (especially in combination with a lack of potassium) inhibits its development. Therefore, the presence of orthophosphate and sodium chloride in the ash makes it a favorite food for peppers.
5. A strong root system and its supply of nutrients are ensured by the presence of phosphorus in the feeding. Thus, the choice of ash as a fertilizer for bell peppers is optimal.

However, this does not mean that its introduction does not require compliance with certain rules and has no contraindications. Despite the love of bell peppers for slightly acidic and neutral soils, excessive ash application leads to their alkalization. What can damage the crop.

Fertilizers need to be applied several times during the season. At certain points in the development of the plant. You should also be aware that the use of ash is incompatible with fertilizer containing nitrogen mixtures. For example, with saltpeter or urea. And also with fresh manure. Ashes negate all their nutritional qualities.

Therefore, the interval between the introduction of ash and nitrogen fertilizers should be at least a month. Ash left over from the incineration of plastic and plastic materials, painted wood and construction waste is not suitable for fertilization. Because it is dangerous for the health of living organisms.

Feeding pepper with ash: instructions for cooking

For fertilizing vegetable beds, ash can be used dry or in the form of a water solution.

There are two ways to prepare it:

1. With a liter of boiling water, you need to dilute a glass of ash. Let it brew for 12 hours. After straining the infusion, it must be diluted with water. Up to a 10-liter container. Then you can start watering the soil in the beds with bell pepper.
2. Similarly, 10 liters of water is used to dilute ash in the volume of a liter can. The resulting mixture is infused for at least 3 days. During which it must be mixed. After filtration, the planting of pepper is watered with infusion. Although ash does not completely dissolve in water, all the beneficial substances contained in it are transferred to the water. The sediment that has settled to the bottom of the container remains when the infusion is drained into the watering can. Before spraying the infusion with a spray bottle, the ash water must be filtered.

How to handle ash

When and how much ash to add to the soil depends on its composition:

1. It is better to fertilize clay soils in the fall, when the site is dug up, it is enough to add 0.08-0.1 kg per 1 sq. m.
2. More permeable sandy and sandy soils are recommended to be fertilized with ash after the snow melts. Otherwise, autumn rains or spring melt water will wash away the fertilizer. It has been observed that sprinkling ashes on ice-bound areas tends to thaw faster. When applying ash fertilizer in powder form, it is necessary to avoid its direct contact with the root system of bell pepper. Because it is fraught with burns and even the death of the plant. Mix ash with earth in a minimum ratio of 1: 3. And scatter this mixture between the rows. Far from plant roots.

Ash-based fertilizers are not recommended to be mixed with other fertilizers. But if necessary, it should be done immediately before use. Ash overdose is also undesirable. 2 tablespoons (about 15 g) per liter can of water should be sufficient.

When and how to apply ash

The introduction of ash is recommended even at the seedling stage. By twice watering the seedlings with ash infusion. Dry ash is also added to the seedling substrate. The landing pits are also covered with it.

During the autumn and spring digging of the soil, it is also recommended to bring ash. The number of ash treatments usually depends on the composition of the soil.

It should be borne in mind that during rainy periods, it is better to apply ash to open ground in the form of a dry powder.Since watering with water infusion can lead to an excess of moisture in the soil. Which in turn will lead to the development of fungal and putrefactive diseases.

Thus, it is optimal to combine the application of ash with loosening the soil. The recommended dosage is 1 glass of powder per 1 sq. m. In dry periods, it is recommended to bring ash in the form of infusion, watering the beds.

Top dressing of pepper with ash. Preparatory stage

Seedling substrate should be enriched with ash just before use. The mixing ratio is selected depending on the quality of the soil. But, as a rule, it is enough to add 1 glass of ash to a 10-liter container with soil mixture. If the ash was introduced into the soil for seedlings, the first stage of feeding the seedlings can be excluded.

The first stage of seedling processing

After the first two leaves appear on the sprouts, ash fertilization can be applied for the first time. The soil around the seedlings is watered with infusion: 1 tablespoon per 1 bush. Powder sprinkling is generally ineffective. Because beneficial substances must penetrate into the root system of young plants.

The second stage of seedling processing

2-3 weeks after the first treatment, you can re-apply the ash fertilization. For this, an infusion of the same concentration is used. But in double the volume.

If the ash was introduced at the stage of preparing the seedling substrate, this seedling treatment is the first and only one.

Transfer of seedlings

When replanting sprouts of peppers in the ground, planting holes can be fertilized with top dressing based on ash (1 tablespoon). Stir the mixture thoroughly to avoid a chemical burn of the root system. This will help the sprouts to quickly settle in a new place.

The first feeding of pepper with ash on the ground

The first feeding of peppers already rooted in the beds is carried out, as a rule, 2 weeks after they are planted in the ground. Organic mixtures are used as fertilizer. They add 1 liter of ash infusion per bush. The introduction of ash at the stage of flowering of bell pepper is possible in liquid form, as well as in dry form between the beds while loosening the soil.

Further ash application

Supersaturation of the soil with ash leads to a deterioration in its quality. Since the bell pepper prefers slightly acidic and neutral soil. Excessive alkalization will provoke a slowdown in the growth of the bushes. As well as the formation of ovaries and fruits. Therefore, additional ash application is shown no more than 1-2 times.

Ash pest control

Wood ash is prized by gardeners as an effective fertilizer. And also as a means of protecting plants from harmful insects and fungal infections. In powder form, ash is used to dust the plantings. And also watering and spraying with ash and soap-ash infusions is carried out.

A solution for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment is prepared, as a rule, as follows:

• 300 g of ash must be sifted and poured with boiling water;
• for about 0.5 hour, the solution is kept on low heat;
• the resulting infusion is filtered. And diluted with water to the volume of a 10-liter container;
• Laundry soap (50 g) is added to the infusion.

This solution can be used to process plantings in greenhouses and outdoors. Spraying is recommended in the evening, in the absence of precipitation. It is advisable that there is no rain for the next few days after spraying.

In this case, watering is best done between the beds, irrigating the root area, avoiding washing off the fertilizer.