Is it wise to compost ashes from wood fires?

blessedfrog

15 years ago

HI

I 've looked and haven't seen this specifically mentioned.

We have a fire pit and burn oak/pecan/etc tree limbs and logs -

Can I compost the ashes?

THANKS

:)

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Comments (8)

blessedfrog
Original Author
15 years ago
oh got it

thanks :)

Here is a link that might be useful: discussion on ashes
rj_hythloday
15 years ago
Don't miss this either

Here is a link that might be useful: Another good one
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Do not use wood ash that comes from commercialy made logs like Duraflame. Do not use briquetts that are used for BBQing. You can use briquetts that are made from 100% wood and do not have any fillers or chemicals that used as binding agents or make lighting easier. Please only use wood ashes in a compost bin or in the garden (used to increasse the amount of potassium in the soil) that came from good old fashioned wood logs that were cut down from a once living tree. This really is important. It is important to remember that a little wood ashes goes a long way. Like the garden soil, the right amount of potassium is good, but too much is not. What is really important is where you live. In arid places (places that get little rain) the soil has a lot of calcium in it, and it is this calcium that makes the soil alkaline. So, if you live in a dry part of the country you already have alkaline soil!!! Wood ashes are very highly alkaline. So, if you live in a dry local why would you ever, EVER, want to add wood ashes to the compost and make your soil more alkaline? Just something to think about. Tom P.S. There is absolutely no benefit to adding gypsum to alkaline soils. Gypsum does not loosesn alkaline soil like it does soils that tend to be on the acid side. The sodium ion in calcium does not react to gypsum. So, don't use gypsum to loosen clay soil if you live in an arid local. Use compost.
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blessedfrog
Original Author
15 years ago
Oh dear

the controversy!

WIll read :)
david52 Zone 6
15 years ago
Beware! Those who do this - often will bear black smudge marks on their foreheads.
jean001
15 years ago
No ashes in compost. Upsets the functioning of the microbes.

Further, don't put it in the soil. I doubt your your soil needs its pH increased. To know for certain, phone your county's Cooperative Extension office.
Kimmsr
15 years ago
Since the main component of wood ash is Calcium Carbonate adding that to your compost, or soil, can intefere with a plants ability to uptake Magnesium which the plants need to utilize the Calcium properly. All of the soil scientists that I have read and talked with will tell you that wood ash should not be used in your garden or compost pile although it could be spread over your lawn in very small quantities at any one time.
blessedfrog
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for all the info Kimmsr + Jean001!

Black smudge marks to boot!

well it just seems odd and counter intuitive

Don't they say that forests that burn down come back twice as strong?
digdirt2
15 years ago
Don't they say that forests that burn down come back twice as strong?

That's an "apples to oranges" comparison. ;)

Fruiting vegetables can't really be compared to forests in terms of nutrient and soil pH needs. Nor is the eons of time for a forest to grow back comparable to the time-limit for garden production.

Best to take care with making leaps in logic when it comes to gardening. It can quickly get your garden into trouble. ;^)

Dave

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Is it wise to compost ashes from wood fires?

Comments (8)

blessedfrog
Original Author

rj_hythloday

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Is it wise to compost ashes from wood fires?

Comments (8)

blessedfrogOriginal Author

rj_hythloday

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blessedfrogOriginal Author

david52 Zone 6

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blessedfrog
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blessedfrog
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