Fire Ash, good for the garden?

[GirlFriday]

Beloved has a little chiminea which is lit most nights which burns mostly eucalytpus deadfall and hardwood. It produces ash and charcoal. An old timer gardening friend once said he added it to his vege patch.
Anyone have any info/ experience with this please?

[gringo]

Wood ash especially hardwoods contain elements of lime, potash and magnesium, which u can use to enrich your soil.

However would suggest u use ash sparingly as you don’t want to cause a soil Ph.inbalance. Can also be used in the compost heap, and sprinkle it around seedlings that might be under attack by slugs or snails. Apparently they don’t tolerate the texture and won’t crawl across ash.

Replenish it every few days, especially in wet weather, as rain will quickly leach away any nutrients that ash may contain.

Because of its alkalinity, make sure that you keep any wood ash away from acid-loving plants. Keep it away from ground to be used for growing potatoes and don’t let it near any seed potatoes.

A chiminea ? Sounds like the ideal way to spend a winters evening!

[GirlFriday]

It sure is a good way to spend a Winter’s evening (but not tonight when there is icy winds howling about).  Thanks for the input 🙂

[Judi B]

I use it to kill weeds just put it on the weed thickly and leave, I’ve been using it on bindii

[ballamara]

Hi Gringo, long time no see
🙂

[TropicalRose]

Sifting out the lumps of charcoal and burying them in your veggie garden is a great way to enrich the soil. Google ‘biochar’ to find out more. 

Good idea about using it for weeds Judi especially in non-veggie areas

[Author]

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