You can...but be careful wood ashes are very alkaline. You could easily throw a balanced mix off.

If it's purchased "Mel's Mix" I wouldn't - if it's "Your Mix" but you call it Mel's Mix - hey it's your call.

Or use it to balance some peat.

JMMO - Just My Meaningless Opinion,
Gumby_CT

I would never add ashes directly to a bed. Mine do get dumped onto the compost pile, but there is a lot of potential there for neutralization and dilution before a plant root ever sees the final product.

Thanks Gumby_CT, I finally know how my father did so well in our normally acidic native soil, spreading his wood ashes over the garden all winter, and tilling them in in the spring. One reason I have loved SFG/Mel's Mix, is the need to not add lots of lime...

Thanks for the replies. I'll add them to the compost pile.

Might be good if you've got a spot you want to get rid of some moss or something too?

I have a related question -- I have ashes from hardwood charcoal from my grill (not briquettes, but real wood charcoal). Can I use those in my garden or compost pile?

I've read that wood ashes at the base of peas will keep aphids away. I'm trying it this year, as the little buggers were horrible last year. So far my peas are 2-3 feet tall, flowering beautifully, and aphid free.

katxena: I would have no qualms with that if you used one of those lighting chimneys that used newspaper to get the coals going instead of lighter fluid. I'd probably even compost it if I'd used a modest amount of lighter fluid.

Thanks ray. I have a propane starter on my grill, so I don't use lighter fluid. I'll have to look at it to see how it works -- I don't think any of the propane actually gets on the charcoal.

A propane starter is fine too, that burns clean.