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Garden Gate:  ash and cinders from wood stove  |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 07:14:03 AM
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I have heard conflicting advice about whether or not to till ash from cleaning out my wood stove into my garden. Would love to hear any advice and pros and cons. thanks!
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 07:19:26 AM
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I have always added my stove ash to my compost, also for you all that have chickens, putting a pile of ash in their coops, they will dust them selves with it and it will kill any lice they might have.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 07:39:59 AM
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I don't have a "compost" pile (another thing on the list of things to do!) so it would be ok to dump the bucket of ash onto the garden dirt and till it in. I will be adding top soil and peat moss this year as well. What does the ash/cinders provide for the soil in a vegetable garden? Are there any veggies that shouln't have that component added to their soil? I have never thought of putting a pile in the chicken coop!! Thanks so much for the great tip!
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 08:34:27 AM
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Ash provides potash - good for some veggies but you want to avoid putting it where you will plant potatoes as it can cause scabbing.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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chaddsgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
843 Posts
Sarah
Farmgirl Sisterhood #639
MO
USA
843 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 11:26:20 AM
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Except for sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes love ashes. And yes, they are great for the garden except with potatoes like Amy Grace said.
If I'm not mistaken, ash also provides lime to the soil. Which is great for keeping the beds from developing a scummy green looking top. Especially if the beds are in an area with high moisture.
A person is a success if they get up in the morning and get to bed at night and in between does what they want to do. Bob Dylan
Deeperrootsfarm.etsy.com |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 11:42:24 AM
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Good to know about the sweet potatoes - we have a shorter growing season so I haven't tried to grow those. I have had my potato bed where we had a burn pile 4 years ago and they still get scab, bleah.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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vegetarian farmer
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Jane
Freedom
pa
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 11:45:49 AM
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I think there was another post about this before. You must get you soil tested before adding to much ash. It can raise your soil PH to much. If your soil is 6.5 or higher never use ash, it will affect soil fertility. Ash is good for acidic soil. Also you can line the outside of your garden with a thin line of ash. Do not till under, it keeps slugs from crossing into the garden.
Jane
http://hardworkhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 12:12:31 PM
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I burned a huge pile of cedar tree branches and limbs not too long ago. I am going to shovel up alot of it and put on the gardens. I am going to try some sweet potatoes this spring so that will be a good thing for them. Thanks for the good ideas.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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October Moon
Farmgirl at Heart
6 Posts
Tracey
Dover
PA
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 1:36:22 PM
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I was listening to a gardening radio program this weekend and the host said that the best and safest way to add ash is to put a consistent thin layer over entire garden. He also reminded that ash can stay hot for a long time, so make sure the ashes are cool.
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.”— Anatole France
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 1:56:29 PM
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Thank you everyone for your replies! Jane: What would be the best way to check the PH in my exsisting soil? I know this is something I should probably already know! Thank you again!
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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vegetarian farmer
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Jane
Freedom
pa
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 2:22:48 PM
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Ida, your extension office will have a kit for a few bucks they send in for you. They mail you back your results with recomendations for soil amendments. Good luck
Jane
http://hardworkhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
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ida
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
ida
camden
ohio
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2010 : 4:37:54 PM
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Thanks again Jane!
Mom's Makin' Scents |
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Garden Gate: ash and cinders from wood stove |
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ash and cinders from wood stove
