Ashes from a fireplace or wood-burning stove (not burned BBQ
briquettes!) can be used to sweeten acidic soil. Five pounds of ashes
over 100 sqft will raise the pH by about 0.5. If your soil is
alkaline, using ashes is BAD idea. If your soil is below 6.5, adding
ashes is a GOOD idea. Ashes contain high levels of potash, potassium,
phosphorus, and calcium. Avoid putting ashes near acid-loving plants
such as azaleas or blueberries.

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 20:05:26 -0600, Ted Shoemaker
wrote:

(Big sigh.) It seems that whatever one person advises, someone else
advises just the opposite. Here's today's question:

Is it a GOOD idea, or a BAD idea, to put fireplace ashes in the garden
soil? Why? What are the particulars?

I suppose it makes a difference if we're talking about a fireplace that
burns wood, or one where we dump our old newspapers (in my case, both);
and it matters what's growing in the garden (mostly flowers, but we're
going to try berries).

Thank you very much!

Ted Shoemaker

Madison, Wisconsin, USA
USDA zone 4/5
AHS heat zone 4/5
Sunset zone 43