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Fire Ashes in the Garden

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  • 21-01-2020 10:25pm
    #1
    eusap
    Registered Users Posts: 657 ✭✭✭


    We burn turf in our stove and during the winter most of our waste bin is Ash, is there any benefit to using this in the garden?


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    #2
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,293 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    turf ash and wood ash can be used in the garden. high in potash, but best sprinkled rather than piled, it can get wet and claggy.


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    #3
    Skrynesaver
    Registered Users Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭Skrynesaver


    Or used as an additive to dry up grass heavy compost.


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    #4
    Mattdhg
    Closed Accounts Posts: 70 ✭✭Mattdhg


    While it contains the good nutrients, like Carbon, it also contains the bad stuff like heavy metals. So better give it a nice thin distribution


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    #5
    Graces7
    Registered Users Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    Makes excellent cat litter too, then rainwashed...


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    #6
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    While turf and wood ash are reasonable additives they do need to be well mixed with compost or spread very thinly. If you use any coal whatsoever the ash is not suitable for the garden.


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    #7
    pwurple
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭pwurple


    Zendaya Tasty Graphics wrote: »
    If you use any coal whatsoever the ash is not suitable for the garden.

    Why do you say this? I have used coal ash to break up clay-like soil, and subsequently plant with woodland plants, with no ill effects.


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    #8
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,293 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    coal contains lots of stuff you don't want in your garden.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_coal_ash


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    #9
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    pwurple wrote: »
    Why do you say this? I have used coal ash to break up clay-like soil, and subsequently plant with woodland plants, with no ill effects.

    Far too many dangerous or toxic elements in coal. Plants may grow but the soil is being contaminated. Never grow edible crops near it.


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    #10
    Storm 10
    Registered Users Posts: 5,872 ✭✭✭Storm 10


    Graces7 wrote: »
    Makes excellent cat litter too, then rainwashed...

    Would there not be a terrible mess when the cat comes out of the litter tray and walks around the house with ash on his paws could not be good for him when he starts to clean his paws


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    #11
    Hocus Focus
    Registered Users Posts: 753 ✭✭✭Hocus Focus


    pwurple wrote: »
    Why do you say this? I have used coal ash to break up clay-like soil, and subsequently plant with woodland plants, with no ill effects.
    All very well for growing flowers, but if vegetables were subsequently grown at the same location they would contain toxic trace elements.


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    #12
    Hocus Focus
    Registered Users Posts: 753 ✭✭✭Hocus Focus


    We use only peat briquettes and home grown logs on the fire, and the kindling is usually untreated softwood. I sprinkle some of the ashes on the garden and add some to the compost. The surplus goes into the brown bin, after all it is organic waste.


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    #13
    eusap
    Registered Users Posts: 657 ✭✭✭eusap


    i am sure our brown bin says no ashes on it


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    #14
    Hocus Focus
    Registered Users Posts: 753 ✭✭✭Hocus Focus


    No, that's the black bin. It says "No hot ashes"


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