Most of you maybe don’t know that wood ash is one of the best inorganic fertilizers that are good for your plants. It provides essential nutrients for your plants such as lime and potassium, these help your plant grow well. Besides, it also protects the plant from pests like slug and ants. It is safe, effective, and cheap. That is the reason why in the article today we want to write about the effects of using wood ash in the garden. If you are interesting, let’s check them out with us.
After burning, there is a lot of wood ash that is produced from your wood stoves. Instead of tossing the wood ash into the trash, as usual, these are good ways that you can apply for your garden. Just try these ways a few times, they promise to keep you amazed by their uses. And if you are a garden-lover, you should save these simple ways because they are so useful! It’s time to read them!
#1 Make a Wood Ash Tea
Just like you make compost tea, you can also make a nutritious, fertilizer tea from wood ashes. This will provide nutrition to growing plants, as you can spray the tea around the base of your plants. To do this, you will just need to put three pounds of ashes in a burlap bag and submerge it in a 30-gallon garbage can of water. Leave it there for a few days.
#2 Spread Wood Ashes to Deter Slugs and Snails
There are certain garden pests that really don’t like wood ashes because wood ash has a harsh, abrasive feel when dry. You can spread the ashes around your plants (ideally, around perennials) to deter these slimy, slippery pests that may otherwise harm your sensitive plants.
#3 Make Wood Ash an Essential Component of Your Compost
If you have a compost pile, you can use wood ash in there, too. Simply add the ash to the pile to help balance out the acidity. You can sprinkle a bit on every layer as you gradually add to your pile.
#4 Use on Alkaline- Loving Plants
There are certain plants, such as asparagus, junipers, and conifers, that like to be grown in more alkaline soil, these are great candidates for wood ash fertilizer.
#5 Add Lime and Potassium
Wood ash contains lots of potash and lime. Many fruits appreciate a bit of potash, too. The best way to add wood ash is by adding it to your compost. When wet, wood ash can produce trace amounts of salt and lye. When adding these in small quantities, you shouldn’t have a problem but if large clumps remain around your plants, they can cause them to burn. Composting will leach away the salt and lye.
#6 Reduce Frost Damage
You can prevent frost damage by dusting your plants with wood ash.
#7 Reverse Potassium Deficiency
Plants require lots of potassium to flower and fruit to the best of their ability. Wood ashes can also be used to prevent and treat blossom end rot or toss a handful of wood ash into the hole before planting.
#8 Prevent Club Root Disease
Clubroot disease is an incredibly aggravating illness that is common in brassicas like cauliflower and broccoli. By raising the pH of your soil, you can eliminate club roots and restore your plants to their original health and vigor.
#9 Keep Pests Out of the Compost
Adding wood ash to the compost pile can keep pests at bay. It’s often used to keep pests like rats, mice, cockroaches, and other creepy-crawlies away, too.
#10 Use Wood Ash to Clean Your Tools
Wood ash is an excellent cleaner for all kinds of materials, including stainless steel, glass, and metal. To use it, simply dip a damp cloth in wood ash and then use it to scrub away your toughest stains.