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Buffalo, Minnesota

What does everybody think about wood ashes, would these be effective for keeping any bugs away if i tilled them in, ive heard that wood ashes keep squash bugs, or stink bugs away? has anybody experimented with this? ,Wildbill

3/24/2001 12:13:41 AM

Herndon, VA

I tilled in about an inch last year, not for insect control but as a fertilizing experiment. My Atlantic Giants were devestated by borers. I have since read that dusting the plant with wood ashes will help deter the borers; I don't think the ash has any special properties other than making the plants slippery and maybe masking the sweet vine that the borer moths are looking for. Also I would think it difficult for a moth to lay eggs on an ash surface.
I don't know what effect (if any) wood ash will have on squash bugs.

Be aware that wood ash is very alkaline and will alter your garden's PH.

3/24/2001 9:19:24 AM

Buffalo, Minnesota

so what is in ashes that makes them so alkaline?, and what other organic mulch or whatever do you think would neutralize the ashes?

3/25/2001 2:09:26 AM

walton n.y.

wood ashes contain potash the K on a fertilizer bag i use murate of potash 0-0-60 i mix some in when i plant and then use some every other week up to harvest because it's hard to know how much K you are getting from your ashes due to types of wood used also some harmfulchemicals can be released into your soil if you burn magazine paperor treated woods as for soil alkalinity if i remember right add 1 tablespoon lime per 5 lbs ashes and that should be close to neutral i haven't heard that they help repel insects but it could be!

3/25/2001 5:20:45 PM