Hello everyone,

just wondering if the ashes and charcoal are ok for the compost or whether
i'm better off just putting them in the bin.

Luke

just wondering if the ashes and charcoal are ok for the compost or whether
i'm better off just putting them in the bin.

Ashes from a wood fire are, in the garden, effectivley the same as lime.

"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote in message
...
just wondering if the ashes and charcoal are ok for the compost or
whether i'm better off just putting them in the bin.

Ashes from a wood fire are, in the garden, effectivley the same as lime.



Or potash?

lb wrote:
"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote in message
...
just wondering if the ashes and charcoal are ok for the compost or
whether i'm better off just putting them in the bin.
Ashes from a wood fire are, in the garden, effectivley the same as lime.



Or potash?


It depends on what was burnt.
Ashes from coal cannot be used.
Trees, news paper ashes are OK

"lb" wrote in message
...
"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote in message
...
just wondering if the ashes and charcoal are ok for the compost or
whether i'm better off just putting them in the bin.

Ashes from a wood fire are, in the garden, effectivley the same as lime.



Or potash?


Both actually. I would recommend wood ash in the compost provided that you
don't over do it and take the pH up too far.

David

"lb" wrote in message
"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote in message

just wondering if the ashes and charcoal are ok for the compost or
whether i'm better off just putting them in the bin.

Ashes from a wood fire are, in the garden, effectivley the same as lime.

Or potash?

Yes but I think it's main use might be because it is alkaline (at least that
is how I use wood ash). The wood ashes could also always be used in the way
the old timers did I guess (by slowly adding water to it and collecting the
leachings) to then make soap.

"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote in message
...
"lb" wrote in message
"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote in message

just wondering if the ashes and charcoal are ok for the compost or
whether i'm better off just putting them in the bin.

Ashes from a wood fire are, in the garden, effectivley the same as
lime.

Or potash?

Yes but I think it's main use might be because it is alkaline (at least
that
is how I use wood ash).

In general terms I understand it takes roughly twice the amount of wood ash
as it does to agricultural lime to produce the same shift in ph levels. This
has something to do with the calcium carbonate content. If ag lime is base
100 wood ash is somewhere around 50%. Wood ash, I have read somewhere, is
also likely to cause a more rapid change in ph levels than ag lime. I guess
that may be due to the finer grade of the ash and therefore quicker to break
down and react than ag lime.
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/cses/452-510/452-510.html

rob

"Big Bear" wrote in message
...
Luke wrote:
Hello everyone,

just wondering if the ashes and charcoal are ok for the compost or
whether
i'm better off just putting them in the bin.

Yes, just mix it in with all the other stuff.

I also scatter it on the garden and around the citrus.

I apread my wood ash on the lawn today. A decent source of P & K and has a
liming effect.

rob

Luke wrote:
Hello everyone,

just wondering if the ashes and charcoal are ok for the compost or whether
i'm better off just putting them in the bin.

Yes, just mix it in with all the other stuff.

I also scatter it on the garden and around the citrus.

Hi Luke,

Wood ashes have a carbon/nitrogen ratio of about 25:1 and are a good addition to a compost pile. They are an good source of calcium and potassium but are also very alkaline. Use them sparingly to avoid high pH levels that will limit microbial activity in the pile. Avoid composting charcoal briquettes as they take far too long to break down. Also, do not compost the ashes from purchased "firelogs" which contain wax and other petroleum derivatives.

Hope this helps