Ash as fertilizer: the secrets of using wood ash in the garden

Previously, every house had a stove, and even now many have one. And the main product that is useful to us is ash. Wood ash is perhaps the most affordable and effective fertilizer for our garden. As a fertilizer, ash has many uses, for example, one of the most popular, spraying potatoes before planting.
Let's see where else this affordable fertilizer can be applied.

Ash as fertilizer: where does it come from

Flame is the force of destruction, when forests are engulfed in fire, a huge amount of carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere, and all life on its way perishes. But it is worth noting that all natural phenomena occur for a reason and have consequences, for example:

- already dead vegetation is destroyed, giving the way of new life,

- the landscape of the zone changes after the fire

-the process of evolution, animals and plants have to adapt to life in new conditions,

- wood ash remains, which helps to regenerate the incident area.

Ash as fertilizer: how to get

In everyday life, ash can be obtained in a less dangerous way from a grill or stove. With certain knowledge, it will become an irreplaceable assistant in the garden and vegetable garden.
The composition of wood ash is rich in useful trace elements, this is calcium and potassium and manganese, and phosphorus and magnesium, and much, much more. When plant materials are burned, ash is obtained, which is rich in composition. To enrich the soil with microelements, ashes are used by both gardeners and large farmers.

But in addition to its many benefits, there are a few more things you need to know about ash:

Use ash from the combustion of environmentally friendly materials. Do not use ash as fertilizer from burnt waste, plastic, polyethylene.

Ash as fertilizer: how to use it in the garden

To fertilize the soil, they prefer to choose ash from burnt oak or maple, it is believed that it contains more nutrients.

It is important to take precautions. The coals in the ash can smolder for some time after combustion. Store ash in a metal container on a non-combustible surface.

Wood ash turns into light dust, so it is worth protecting your face and eyes when working with it.

Do not use wood ash with nitrogen fertilizers. As a result of this reaction, hazardous ammonia is released.

Wood ash cannot be used to fertilize young seedlings.

Ash for soil deoxidation

How to neutralize acidic soil?
If you are not growing plants that like acidic soil, then you need to lower the acidity. Wood ash is rich in calcium carbonate, so it can be used as lime.

The use of ash from pests

How to deal with slugs and snails?
At night, these pests eat young plants, how to deal with them? Wood ash will help us. Dampness is a favorable environment for snails and slugs, therefore, after rain, we recommend spreading the wood ash evenly over the area where pests usually accumulate. Repeat the procedure regularly after rain.

Ash as fertilizer in compost

Can ash be added to compost? Add wood ash to compost to improve it. The potassium contained in it has a beneficial effect on flowering and fruiting. Wood ash increases the potassium level in the compost.You just don't need to add a lot of ash to the compost, this will increase its acid level.

Ash as fertilizer: how to prepare an ash solution

Calcium carbonate is very useful for many plants; it is found in wood ash and eggshells.
One of the unusual ways to add wood ash under plants is to brew it like tea. This solution eliminates the lack of potassium in the soil. If your plants have age spots or stunted growth, these are clear signs of a lack of potassium in the soil.
How to prepare such a solution. Take two kilograms of ash and place it in a bag that you can tie well. Dip the bag into a container of water, fifty liters is needed. Such a solution should be infused for several days. This mixture is perfect for lawn grass care.

Interesting fact. If you are raising chickens, then you know that they like to wallow in the dust to get rid of parasites on their feathers. Add wood ash to these procedures. This will give a disinfecting and preventive effect for chickens.

The use of ash on the farm

On the farm, wood ash can also be useful in many places. For example, it can be used to easily clean tarnished items made of silver, glass and metals. To do this, it is necessary to prepare a solution of water and ash, in consistency resembling a paste. Wear rubber gloves and treat faded items with this solution.
If you have an unpleasant smell in the room, wood ash will help to cope. You just need to leave the ash in the container in the area of ​​unpleasant odor and replace, if necessary, after a few days, with a fresh one.
Wood ash can easily dry a greasy stain on a porous surface. Just brush off the remaining ash with a broom.
Such a wonderful remedy is stored in our stove and grill. Use our advice, but don't forget about the precautions!