Using wood ash in the garden - balancing ph.

[oneeye]

Yes my soil is native soil and the plants growing in this area adapt well to it. However, I'm limited when it comes to growing a lot of different crops. Citrus, Apple, Blueberries, and many ornamental plants are impossible to grow here. The only way I can use this clay soil is if I add peat moss at the beginning of every growing season. It only helps for about 4 to 6 months. When I do beds for Azaleas and other acid-loving plants I use a peat mix with pine bark supplemented with a slow-release fertilizer.

 

[big rockpile]

Wonder my Garden isn't all dead.

After frost I clean out the Chicken House, just dump it on.

My Fireplace has a deal to pull my Ash into a bin. I usually get 3-4 wheelbarrow a Winter dump on the Garden.

Put a good layer of Oak Leaves on it.

Spring put 3 big bales of Peat Moss on it.

Maybe some Lime in the Fall.

Water with around 8 PH.

Soil Test looks good and Garden looks good.

big rockpile

 

[smitty55]

Wonder my Garden isn't all dead.

After frost I clean out the Chicken House, just dump it on.

My Fireplace has a deal to pull my Ash into a bin. I usually get 3-4 wheelbarrow a Winter dump on the Garden.

Put a good layer of Oak Leaves on it.

Spring put 3 big bales of Peat Moss on it.

Maybe some Lime in the Fall.

Water with around 8 PH.

Soil Test looks good and Garden looks good.

big rockpile

Oak leaves are fairly acidic as is peat moss so they must even out well from the alkalinity of all that ash. The results speak for themselves.

 

[big rockpile]

Thinking of different this year. Some Chicken Poop, Some Leaves, Lime, Some Wood Ash and sowing Winter Wheat.

Interesting reading on several Forums. Wood Ash and Weeds bad for Compost but go into Composting on Internet. Wood Ash and Weeds good.

Just got my Compost Bins built and wanting good.

big rockpile