Ashes good or bad?

**jester5120** · 12-19-2011, 12:29 AM

I recently transplanted 4 rhizomes at the end of October. It has only recently gotten down to freezing temperatures where i am. From what i've read the plants should have had time to get somewhat acclimated to their new home. I have a woodburner at my house and was wondering if dumping the cooled ashes on the newly transplantees would be good for insulation and maybe give them a little bit of nutrients?

**Yooper** · 12-19-2011, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jester5120

I recently transplanted 4 rhizomes at the end of October. It has only recently gotten down to freezing temperatures where i am. From what i've read the plants should have had time to get somewhat acclimated to their new home. I have a woodburner at my house and was wondering if dumping the cooled ashes on the newly transplantees would be good for insulation and maybe give them a little bit of nutrients?

I wouldn't. Wood ash is highly alkaline, at least until they are broken down (composted) first.

You can definitely mulch them, with leaves or such, but not ashes.

**jester5120** · 12-19-2011, 01:01 AM

I should have plenty of leaves so i'll just use those. thanks for the advice on ash

Misplaced_Canuck · 12-19-2011, 01:28 AM

The problem with ash is that you're concentration whatever was in the source of the ash. If it's wood, they often have a bunch of minerals and other elements. You're putting back in concentrated form into the soil. Keep that in mind.

M_C

**tchuklobrau** · 12-19-2011, 12:53 PM

just use mulched leaves for getting them ready for the winter. save some of the ashes for during growing season. The homebrewers garden lists wood ash as the fastest way to remedy most nutrient deficiencies.

**bigljd** · 12-19-2011, 09:02 PM

Wood ash is a source of potassium (the K in the NPK of fertilizers - it was more commonly known as potash, or 'pot ash', the ash of plants) and other minerals. It does replenish minerals into the soil, but as Yoop mentioned it can also raise soil ph if used in excess. Raising soil ph may be a good thing if you have acidic, clay soil, but if you don't know what your soil needs then it could cause problems. I don't think small amounts used as a mulch would be a problem, the ash would break down over time and feed the soil.