Is Wood Ash Good for Garden Soil?

Our Yankee ancestors used wood ash to make lye for soaps, to clean glass, silver and pewter. Ash is also used as an agricultural soil amendment to add nutrients and raise the soil pH level. Ash from wood fires, such as bonfires or wood-burning stoves, can be a useful additive to the compost heap or can be applied directly to bare ground and dug. It can be a natural source of potassium and trace elements. But is ash good for the garden? The answer depends on what type of ash it is, how you’re using it, and your soil. If you’re wondering about using ash in your garden, this post tells you more about wood ash or use it.

Wood Ash Benefit for Garden Soil

If your soil is deficient in these nutrients, using wood ash is a great way to supplement your garden’s needs. Wood ash contains a lot of plant nutrients, including potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. There are other minor nutrients too. The other thing to know is that wood ash is alkaline. When wood ash is mixed with other components in a compost heap, the resulting alkaline compost can be used as a mulch around most ornamental plants and vegetables unless, like raspberries and rhododendrons, they require an acidic soil.

Use Wood Ash in Garden Soil

It is best to know your garden soil pH before applying your wood ash. However, a typical garden of 1,000 square feet with a pH of 6.5 would generally require no more than 20 pounds of wood ash. Once applied, mix material into the top 2-4 inches, no additional wood ash should be needed that year. Similarly, you can apply a maintenance application of 10-15lbs of ash to your 1,000 sq. ft. lawn each year. It is best to field apply material on a humid, low-wind day.

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