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Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Some idiot dumped alot of wood ash on my garden. I have removed most of it. but am worried that this will raise my ph. Any advice?

4/23/2009 11:28:36 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

who is some idiot? Pissed off neighbor? Elemental sulfur is the most efficient way of lowering pH. But you should have a test done to measure the level first before you really get things out of whack.

4/23/2009 1:36:37 PM

Albert County, New Brunswick,CANADA

You should thank whoever did this.Thay have perhaps done you a favor.Maybe you should read about the benefits of wood ashes,especially if they are hardwood,they are quite valuable. As well,they can be used to repel squash beetles if used properly.I was going to post the benefits of wood ashes,especially for myself running a pellet stove using hardwood pellets,I have got an excellent source of potassiam with the ph neutralizing effects of lime.I guess I have already posted it.

4/23/2009 4:42:58 PM

Ohio

I wouldnt use to much wood ash if you can help it, just a little bit goes a long long way.I think you was smart to remove it untill you see were your at as far as a soil test goes.

4/23/2009 9:33:36 PM

Denver, CO

Takes a lot of wood ash to make a any difference at all Captain. Not sure how much was put on there, but its slow to break down.

How much was dumped on there? If not tilled in and you scraped away what you could there is probably no harm done.

An average application is 5 to 10 pounds per 100 square feet, and that is a whole lot of wood ashes!

http://ceventura.ucdavis.edu/ben/pubs/nutrition/ashes.htm

"Wood Ash can be used to increase soil pH, but a report from Ohio State University explains that it takes twice as much WA as lime to increase pH. So due to the light weight of WA, it would take considerable amount to increase the soil's pH to alkaline levels."

http://www.organicgardeninfo.com/wood-ashes.html

4/24/2009 10:49:38 PM

Albert County, New Brunswick,CANADA

an old time gardening book says that a circle of wood ashes around a cabbage plant will repel slugs and add potassium as well. Now thats a good deal! As well it can be used as a dust.

4/25/2009 7:43:13 AM

President - GPC

We dont need any more alkalinity in at least most of our Colorado soils.....take it out Captn and put in Elemental Sulphur and lets get tilling.....What did your soil tests say? Its time to be in the ground......

5/6/2009 1:01:51 PM

Preston CT

I put my ash in the patch all winter long...pH came back for 3 sites 6.8-7.2....not that bad and i even added the reccommended amount of lime in the fall...

5/8/2009 3:13:45 PM