The Poultry Keeper

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1843 Location: norfolk

Where's the best place to put wood ash from the wood burner? Straight on the veg patch or in the compost bin in layers with other stuff? I know it's good for the garden but not where and how!

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2478 Location: South Cumbria

Hens love it for dustbathing ! keeps slugs off too Very Happy

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1356 Location: Leicestershire

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1843 Location: norfolk

Thanks for that both - knew PK would come up trumps! Very Happy

Sue B · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 382 Location: Lincolnshire

hi I read in Kitchen Garden Mag that the Italians put quite a thick layer over newly planted garlic and then top it up regularly when the garlic is growing. I did it this year and got a great crop of garlic despite the rain!

Timbo · Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Cranfield, Beds.

Wood Ash - Always around the base of fruit trees, Current bushes and Gooseberry bushes as well as over the onions, and garlic. Have done this for years and they grow really well. The pot ash is really good for fruiting. I also put a liberal amount in the soil during the winter months and haven't had any problems. The soil here is clay so it needs all it can get to break it down a bit!

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2130 Location: North Cornwall

I save it up in bags to keep it dry, then put it round strawberries, keeping it of the crowns, gooseberries and fruit trees in the spring. It must be kept dry before you use it though.

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1843 Location: norfolk

Thanks for all the suggestions - I shall annoint the strawberries with what is left from sprinkling on the compost.

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2130 Location: North Cornwall

Dont put it on now, it needs to go on when the plants are starting into active growth. Keep it dry untill then so that what it gets wet its on the soil, then the plants can take up all the potash. I put a good layer around strawbs about 6inches out from the plants in a circle around them, then hoe it in lightly so as not to damage any roots.

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1843 Location: norfolk

I haven't put it on yet - have to weed all the strawberry plants first anyway. Will put it on in the Spring as you suggest - thanks.

Timbo · Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Cranfield, Beds.

Roses love wood ash too... helps the flowering. I put it on in dribs and drabs when I have the fires going but aways save some in bags for the spring.

One thing to remember though, it has to be wood ash, not coal ash - I never use ash that has come from wood and coal which happens occasionally in the colder weather here..

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1843 Location: norfolk

Thanks for that Timbo. I never burn coal in the woodburner as it has to have a special grate in for coal. I do have a coal fired Rayburn as well but that ash goes in the dustbin - poor dustbin men!

I am keeping some wood ash back in a poly sack for the spring as a treat for my only rose bush. (and the strawberries Very Happy

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Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2130 Location: North Cornwall

Did you hear Gardeners Question Time today, they were on about wood ash.
Repeated on Wednesdays I think. Radio 4

Have just learnt how to do this, so hope it works. You get a bit of the 2.00pm news first Laughing

http://tinyurl.com/ye9pwn

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1843 Location: norfolk

Thanks Spana - it was the last item covered in the programme, would be wouldn't it! Still, brought back memories of childhood to listen to it all.

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2130 Location: North Cornwall

You mean you dont normally listen to Gardeners Question Time, heathen Wink

I bet you dont listen to The Archers either Laughing