"David Sim" wrote in message
...
Hi

Adding bonfire ash to a compost heap - good idea or not?

or am I better just digging it straight into the soil?

Thanks

David

Wood ash is highly alkaline, around 25% calcium carbonate* and so
for that reason it's not recommended to simply spread it around,
if your present soil balance is giving you good results.

cautions on here -

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/woodash.html

It is however a good source of potash - between 2.8 to 8.6 per
cent* which is needed for satisfactory flower - and thus later
fruit\bean production. And so many people spread it around fruit
bushes or under fruit trees. And maybe more controversially in
runner bean trenches.

It's pointless putting it on a compost heap as all the potash will
simply leach away, and there's no organic content to break down
in any case. Although it might lighten the overall texture.

So it's preferable to apply directly under or around any plants
which are intended to produce flowers and fruit\beans etc .
(Although it includes root crops? on the site below. ) While keeping
it well away from acid lovers such as rhododendrons, camellias,
azaleas, junipers and conifers etc.


Further details on on here -

*http://www.humeseeds.com/ashes.htm


michael adams