Wood Ash - Useful On The Farm

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

This is one of the most affordable mineral fertilizers. Ash is often sprayed on potatoes before planting, but the ways to use it do not end there. Where else can it be useful?

Fire is destructive. As a result of forest fires, millions of tons of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere, and plants, animals and people die. However, forest fires, like all natural phenomena, have an ecological role. In particular, they:

* remove dead vegetation, providing a path for everything new, * contribute to the improvement of the habitat of wild animals, * change the landscape, resulting in an increase in the quality and abundance of food for animals, * provide biodiversity - plants and animals adapt to fires, * produce wood ash, which contains the necessary substances that help to regenerate the forest.

In everyday life, ash can be easily obtained from any fire or stove. With the right approach, she can become a wonderful assistant in the household, including gardening.

Characteristics of wood ash

Wood ash contains the following useful minerals in large quantities: calcium, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, iron, manganese, sodium, boron, zinc, copper and molybdenum. Ash is obtained by burning plant materials, which is why it contains substances that support the growth and development of plants. Wood ash is used by gardeners and farmers as a natural soil enrichment.

This mineral fertilizer has many positive qualities. But before using it, you need to know that:

* It is advisable to use ash obtained only from environmentally friendly wood.

* The ash formed from the combustion of oak and maple contains more nutrients than conifers.

* Coals can smolder for several days, so for safe ash storage, it is placed in a metal container, covered with a tight lid and installed on a non-combustible surface away from flammable materials.

* It is recommended to handle wood ash with gloves, goggles and a respirator.

* Do not use simultaneously wood ash and nitrogen fertilizers (urea, for example) - as a result, a gas that is harmful to health is released - ammonia.

* The salts in wood ash are harmful to young plants, so do not use the ash to fertilize the seedlings.

Neutralizing acidic soil

If there are no plants that love acidic soil (blueberries, peppers, azaleas) in the garden, it is desirable to have a soil pH of 6-7.5. Such conditions contribute to the ideal dissolution of nutrients in water and their digestibility by the root system of plants.

Acidic soils usually lack nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, while alkaline soils are low in iron, manganese and phosphorus. Wood ash contains 70% calcium carbonate, so it can be used as an alternative lime replacement.

Fighting slugs and snails

Slugs and snails cause great harm to plants. At night, they destroy delicate young plants. One way to get rid of them is wood ash:

* If you scatter wood ash evenly over the areas of accumulation of slimy pests, you get a natural drainage effect, which is unfavorable for snails and slugs. Therefore, it is recommended to do this after every rain.

Improving compost

Wood ash can be added to compost. This will increase the amount of potassium in it, a key plant nutrient that improves flowering and fruiting. However, excessive amounts of wood ash raise the pH of the compost, which is harmful to plants.

Useful fertilizer

Calcium carbonate, which is found in eggshells and wood ash, is very useful for plants. It is useful to fertilize the soil around apple trees, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, broccoli, lettuce, celery with wood ash.

Liquid universal fertilizer

Wood ash can be brewed as a healthy "tea" for plants and used as an organic multipurpose fertilizer that eliminates the lack of potassium in the soil. The appearance of age spots, yellowed veins in the leaves, a slowdown in plant growth and a decrease in yield are clear signs of insufficient potassium in the soil.

To make tea with wood ash, 2 kg of ash is placed in a fabric bag that ties well. The bag is lowered into a 50 liter container with water for several days. After that, the resulting solution can be watered near the plants. Such a procedure will be useful for lawn care.

Dust baths for chickens

Like many other birds, chickens love to bathe in dust to remove various parasites from their skin and feathers. It is useful to add a little ash to a bath with dust and sand familiar to poultry, as a disinfecting and prophylactic element.

Precious metal cleaning

Wood ash is moderately abrasive and can be used to polish tarnished silver, metals and glass. Add water to a cup of ash until a thick paste is obtained. Wearing rubber gloves, you need to treat the precious products with this paste, polishing them with an old toothbrush for a few minutes. Animal fat or wax can be added to add shine.

Getting rid of odors

Like baking soda, wood ash is alkaline and can absorb and neutralize unpleasant odors. Try placing some ash in a small bowl and leaving it in a foul-smelling room. After a few days, it is advisable to replace the ash with fresh ash.

Removing oil stains in the garage

Since wood ash is a desiccant, it can be used to remove grease and stains from porous surfaces such as stone, cement, asphalt, etc. Sprinkle some ash on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Then you need to sweep away the ash with a broom.