The primary benefits of recycling wood ash into the soil are for fertilizing and raising pH levels to make soil less acidic, said Leonard Perry, horticulture professor emeritus with the University of Vermont. Soil pH acidity is measured on a point scale, with 7 being neutral. Anything below 7 is classified acidic. Anything above that is alkaline.
Then you can test every other year or so. Wood ash contains calcium, magnesium, and potassium among a dozen or more important nutrients. Hardwoods, including oak, maple, ash, hickory, sycamore, walnut, apple and cherry, burn hotter and longer. Previously, she served as a communication specialist in the nonprofit field. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Connecticut.
By Ellen Douglas. Related Articles. Wait at least two weeks before planting seeds or seedlings in the amended soil. Incorporate ashes with soil immediately. Ashes that are left outside in buckets or piles leach nutrients quickly. Test the soil's pH level yearly before reapplying wood ashes. Keep in mind that wood ash that has been exposed to the weather, particularly rainfall, has lost a lot of its potency, including nutrients. Specific recommendations for the use of wood ash in the garden are difficult to make because soil composition and reaction varies from garden to garden.
Acidic soils pH less than 5. Soils that are slightly acidic pH 6. However, if your soil is neutral or alkaline pH 7. Crop tolerance to alkaline soil also should be considered. Wood ash should never be used on acid-loving plants. Apply the paste with a cotton cloth while wearing gloves to protect your skin. Try in a small spot at first to test the results. The first soaps were made on homesteads by combining water and wood ash to make lye, a necessary component of soap.
Ashes from burned hardwoods such as ash, hickory, or beech are used for this purpose since they contain enough potassium to produce lye. If going the homemade route, follow instructions from a reputable source and make sure to wear protective gear to avoid burns. Wood ashes can be used to deter pests like slugs and snails, and even to repel ants.
Sprinkle a small amount or ring around susceptible plants and reapply after the rain washes the ash away. Like gravel on snow-covered streets, wood ash can be applied to provide traction underfoot. You can even keep some in a closed metal container in your car or truck to use in an emergency to get out of a slippery spot. Just be careful not to track the ash back into the house on your soles.
Changing the oil on your car?
0コメント