The amount of ash produced after burning firewood depends on the quality of the wood. Not being aware of the ways they can use ashes in their gardens, a lot of people throw their ashes out. You paid money when you purchased the best firewood supplies in Sydney. So, why not use it?
Burning one firewood cord can leave more than 10 kilos of ashes. The amount the ash produced can also depend on the heating appliance, fuel source, and even your burning skills.
The ashes you get should not go out with your trash. Let’s see how you can sustainably use your ash.
Amending garden & lawn soil
Ash left in your stove or fireplace is a source of magnesium, calcium, and potassium. All these three are essential for the health of a plant. You can use ash to increase the pH level of the soil in your garden. However, you need to know how and when the ash can be useful and when it can’t be. The timing to add ash into your soil, depends on the pH level of the soil. You can use a soil test to determine the pH level. pH level ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for most of the garden and lawns plants. Keep in mind that some plants grow well in soil having a lower pH and some in soil with higher pH.
When can you add wood ash?
You can add ash when the pH level falls below 6.5. pH below 6.5 reduces the availability of calcium and magnesium.
When you cannot add wood ash
- Avoid adding ash when the soil is alkaline. Alkaline soil has a pH level of more than 7.0. Adding ash can also be bad for the health of plants and can potentially kill some of your plants. When soil pH levels are too high, some plants are unable to take up the nutrients. This is particularly bad for the health of fruits and vegetable plants.
- Don’t mess with the pH if the pH level is in the range of 6.0 to 7.0.
- Azaleas, rhododendrons, blueberries and there are several other acid-loving plants. Avoid applying ash around these plants.
Using wood ash
You can use both lime and wood ash to increase soil pH. Both work in different ways. Limestone can take more than six months to change soil pH. On the other hand, being water-soluble, ash starts changing the pH level of soil rapidly. Soil with pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 can take 10 kilos of ash per 100 square metres Annually. Adding more than 10 kilos can also cause short-term salt injury. So, add ash to your lawn soil carefully.
Don’t forget to use gloves, a dust mask, and eye protection while adding ash to your lawn soil. It’s best to garden with ash on a windless and dry day. Mix soil and ash before planting and avoid letting ash settle on your growing plants.
Repelling slugs
You can sprinkle wood ashes around plants that are susceptible to slugs. This will repel slugs by irritating their moist bodies.
Melting ice & providing winter traction
You can spread wood ash on driveways. This will provide traction by melting ash. This will cause no damage to animal paws. However, ashes might get tracked into your house.
Cleaning metal & glass
You can use hardwood ash to quickly remove grime, grease and tarnish silverware, glass, grills, ovenware, and stovetops. You can also remove gummy residue left by labels and stickers.
When you are looking for firewood supplies in Sydney, buy firewood from a reputed supplier. Ash is not waste, simply a byproduct. So, you can absolutely use it around the house.