question for gardeners

ohiojim · Dec 19, 2010

i have a garden that's about 50 X 50, if i put my wood ash on it will i have to put lime or nitrogen on to suppliment, i know if you put sawdust on you have to add nitrogen, any thoughts ???

Ken-Pa · Dec 19, 2010

I was always advised not to put wood ashes on a garden , but if I did I should add lime . Then after plowing it up to add more lime . Now that"s what I was told anyhow . Chicken poop is a great furtilizer but don"t add to much . HTH ! Have a Merry CHRISTmas . Hopefully Christ is in the center of your celebration .God bless

El Toro · Dec 19, 2010

I would have a soil analysis done on your garden to see if any lime is needed. Hal
PS: When the size of my Kennebec potatoes started to decrease I ask the county farm agent
about it and recommended a soil analysis. Said I needed to add lime.

Ed the wine farmer · Dec 19, 2010

The Ph of your soil is the key to your garden. Pick up a Ph meter and check your soil. If you add 5-10-10- or 10-10-10 it will add to your acidity, therefore, the need for more lime. Try for a Ph of 7 Ed

Dave Sherburne NY · Dec 19, 2010

Sawdust requires nitrogen to break it down. Wood ashes are already broken down in the stove.The come out of the stove more like lime.

johndeereman · Dec 19, 2010

wood ashes only help certain plants like radishes dont help corn or taters

big fred · Dec 19, 2010

I still remember when I was about 12-13 years old, my Mom wanted to plant some peonies. She told me to go out to the barnyard and get a couple 5 gallon buckets full of manure and work it into the peony bed. I did that, she planted the peonies and the next day told me to dig them up, dig a new bed, don't put manure in it and replant the peonies. I guess she had talked to somebody in town and found out peonies don't like manure.

Bill(Wis) · Dec 19, 2010

Hardwood ashes are alkaline thereby pretty well negating the need for any lime unless your soil is extremely acidic. They contain 5-7% potassium along with calcium and magnesium carbonate which can cause a strongly alkaline reaction and neutralize acidic soils. They also contain about 2% phosphorous. No nitrogen or sulphur as that was lost in the burning process. Try applying about 10 pounds (no more) per 100 square feet onto tilled soil and rake in about 3 weeks before planting. Don't apply when garden plants are growing. Just once per year prior to planting.

Tim in New York · Dec 19, 2010

You have to be careful if you plant potatoes. If you get too much wood ash the potatoes will come out scabby - the PH seems to eat them from the outside.

Tim

tjdub · Dec 20, 2010

Spend the 9 bucks. Send in a soil test for pH, P, K. Don't spread ashes unless your soil is low pH. Ashes will give you potassium (K), but they will affect pH more than that gain. If you spread ashes on soil with a pH > 6.5, you will be hurting just about everything unless you're growing blueberries.

tjdub · Dec 20, 2010

Whups, not blueberries, that's the opposite. They need acidic soil.

JayinNY · Dec 20, 2010

I remember years ago in High school the janitor had a farm and a bunch of blueberry bushes. He came to our woodshop class and asked the teacher if he could use 2 guys. Myself and another fella got picked to go outside and rake up pine needles and load them into the back of his truck so he could put them around his plants . Sure beat sitting in the next class. lol

Bruce from Can. · Dec 20, 2010

I put the wood ashes on the drive way, for traction .Just be sure that you are not burning junk lumber with nails. The garden gets good old cow $h!t, and lots of it.

36 Coupe · Dec 22, 2010

These post seem to contradict each other.Ive used wood ashes forover 50 years with no problem.A little wood ash will keep cabbage worms away.Just spread them around.Wood ashes are loaded with lime.

question for gardeners

ohiojim

Well-known Member

Ken-Pa

Member

El Toro

Well-known Member

Ed the wine farmer

Member

Dave Sherburne NY

Well-known Member

johndeereman

Well-known Member

big fred

Well-known Member

Bill(Wis)

Well-known Member

Tim in New York

Member

tjdub

Member

tjdub

Member

JayinNY

Well-known Member

Bruce from Can.

Well-known Member

36 Coupe

Well-known Member

Similar threads