Why is wood ash an excellent fertilizer and how to use it correctly?

Supporters of ecological farming try to use exclusively natural compounds for plant nutrition on their site. Ash has been used as a fertilizer since time immemorial. This substance is a non-combustible residue resulting from the burning of wood and other plant materials. The ash is saturated with microelements important for the development of various cultures. The fertilizer is perfectly absorbed by plants, the main thing is to prepare and apply it according to the rules.

Ash composition

The chemical composition of the ash depends on the raw material burned. As a fertilizer, ash powder left over from the combustion of wood (the so-called wood ash) and a substance obtained from the combustion of plant residues are used.

The research established:

• the ash of green plants contains more trace elements;
• the dosage of minerals depends on the age of the plant tissue;
• potassium predominates in young leaves, and more calcium in old ones;
• burnt grain contains large amounts of magnesium, sulfur and phosphorus;
• a lot of potassium is found in the ashes of the tops of sunflower, potatoes, buckwheat, nettle and quinoa.

Summer residents often use wood ash, it is considered the most balanced in composition and can successfully replace mineral phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. Burnt wood waste contains phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, sulfur, copper. It is this fertilizer that is most suitable for podzolic and acidic soils.

Ash can replace ash, since from a chemical point of view it is the same substance, only with a finer fraction and a lighter shade.

How to get ash?

Getting wood ash yourself is not difficult at all. The fire is kindled in calm weather, keeping a distance of 6-10 m from the planting and the nearest buildings. The safest and most convenient way is to burn wood in large metal tanks or barrels.

The material to be burned must be environmentally friendly.

To obtain wood ash, you can use:

• old firewood;
• logs;
• boards;
• sawn trees;
• branches left after pruning.

The wood must be free from mold, paint and varnish. After burning the wood, the ash is separated from the coal.

In the same way, ash is obtained from grass, stems and leaves.

Ash can be used for its intended purpose without any restrictions on the shelf life. But it is important to store the fertilizer correctly. Plastic bags are not suitable for this purpose. Ash powder is poured into a wooden box with a tight lid; storage should take place in conditions of low humidity.

What gives soil fertilization with ash?

Ash has a beneficial effect on the composition and structure of the soil. As a fertilizer, the substance is effective for marshy, sod, podzolic, sandy loam and sandy soils.

Thanks to the introduction of ash, it is possible to:

• to make up for the lack of minerals in the soil;
• loosen the soil, making it water and air permeable;
• reduce the acidity of the soil, which has a beneficial effect on cultivated plants.

On saline soils saturated with sodium salts, experts do not recommend using ash as fertilizer.

The timing of the ash powder application depends on the composition of the soil:

• Heavy soil is fertilized in the fall, making 0.3-0.8 kg of fertilizing per 1 sq. meter.
• It is better to apply the substance to sandy soils in the spring.

Ashes should not be applied along with poultry manure, manure and industrial nitrogen fertilizer. If these substances are added to the ground at the same time, a chemical reaction will occur, as a result of which the ammonia will evaporate, and the plants will begin to experience a nitrogen deficiency.

Also, ash is not used simultaneously with superphosphate, because both fertilizers contain significant doses of phosphorus. An excess of this element can cause necrotic spotting, yellowing and leaf fall.

Ashes can also be used to prepare a compost mixture for a vegetable garden: 1 part of ash powder is mixed with 3 parts of humus or peat and left to re-heat. Such compost matures much faster than usual.

How to use ash for plant nutrition?

Among the plants grown in the garden, there are crops that are especially responsive to ash fertilization. These include:

• legumes;
• nightshade;
• cruciferous;
• greenery;
• roots;
• cucumbers;
• garlic;
• onion.

Ash application rates for these plants are individual. The fertilizer is also used for flowers, fruit bushes and trees.

Fertilizing cucumbers and other vegetables with ash

First of all, you need to know the consumption rates of ash fertilizer for vegetables.

The average data looks like this:

• in liquid form - 0.5 l per plant;
• dry - 150 g per 1 sq. meter;
• when planting seedlings - 1-2 tbsp. l. per hole.

Any available container can serve as a measure of the weight of ash:

• 1 tbsp. l. - 6 g;
• a glass with a volume of 200 ml - 100 g;
• liter can - 500 g.

Ash infusion is prepared from 1 glass of ash per 10 liters of water, keeping the composition for 2-3 days. If the infusion is used for foliar feeding, the concentration of the substance is reduced by 2 times (up to 0.5 glass of ash).

Fertilizer application:

• The cucumber crop has a high need for potassium and calcium, these elements are involved in the formation of shoots and ovaries. Before sowing, the beds are fertilized by sprinkling them with dry ash (50 g per 1 sq. M). During flowering, the bushes are watered with a solution under the root every 10 days. In the open field, additional foliar dressing for cucumbers is used 2 times a month.
• For peppers and tomatoes, the ashes are brought under digging the soil before planting (150 g per 1 sq. M) and in the hole when planting seedlings (2 tbsp. L.). In the initial stage of fruiting, fertilize at the root, adding 1 liter of infusion to each plant. After 2 weeks, the root dressing is repeated.
• Potatoes need to be fertilized by adding ash when digging the earth (100 g per 1 sq. M) and into the hole when planting (3 tbsp. L.). Subsequently, during hilling, an ash solution is introduced (2 glasses per bush).
• Root crops require fertilization with ash when digging the soil for planting (100 g per 1 sq. M). Then the carrots and beets are sprinkled with ashes every 10-15 days and watered.
• The cabbage is fertilized before planting, adding ash when digging the earth (200 g per 1 sq. M.) And into the holes (3 tbsp. L.). Later, in wet weather, dust the plantings with ash or spray with an ash infusion to protect against slugs.
• Onions and garlic need the introduction of ash for digging in the fall (200 g per 1 sq. M) or in the spring (100 g per 1 sq. M). Over the summer, vegetables are fed three times with ash infusion.

When growing seedlings of vegetables, top dressing is used only after the appearance of 3-4 true leaves. If mature plants look well developed, flower and bear fruit normally, the next ash fertilization can be skipped.

Fertilization of fruit trees, shrubs, berries with ash

In the garden, feeding with ash is carried out for plums and cherries. It is recommended to apply fertilizer once every 3-4 years. A groove about 15 cm deep is dug around the trees, where a solution prepared from 2 glasses of wood ash and 10 liters of water is poured. One fruit tree should have several buckets of such feeding.

To prepare the solution, use warm water, then the composition is infused for 10-12 hours.

Currants, gooseberries, and grapes take this fertilizer well.Dry ash (2-3 glasses) is introduced into a groove located along the perimeter of the trunk circle, and then watered with water.

Fertilize with ash and grapes. For the culture, root and foliar dressings are used in a standard dosage (1 glass per 10 liters of water for the solution under the root and 2 times weaker concentration for spraying).

Can raspberries be fertilized with ash?

Ash fertilizer can be used for raspberries, the culture loves it. However, feeding in this case has its own characteristics. The fact is that raspberries prefer slightly acidic soil. The acidity level should be between 5.5-6.5 pH. A PH meter will help you accurately determine the indicator. An easier way is to use a litmus test strip, which can be purchased at a gardening store.

When a standard dose of fertilizer is applied, the acidity of the soil decreases, which can negatively affect the development of the crop. Therefore, no more than 100 g of ash fertilizer is applied under each bush. Fertilize raspberries in the same way as other fruit bushes. A groove is dug in the near-barrel circle, where ash is introduced. Then the fertilizer is sprinkled with soil and watered. This should be done every 2–3 years in the spring.

How to fertilize strawberries with ash?

Strawberries, aka garden strawberries, spend a lot of energy on fruiting. It was during this period that feeding with ash will come in handy.

When ovaries begin to form on the bushes, ash is scattered between the rows at the rate of 2/3 cup per 1 sq. meter. To prevent the ash from being blown away by the wind, it is slightly embedded in the ground and watered immediately.

After 2-3 weeks, a second feeding is carried out. This time strawberries are sprayed with ash infusion (100 g per 10 L of water). This should be done in cloudy weather or early in the morning.

Fertilizing flowers with ash

Ash as fertilizer can be used for garden and indoor flowers. Dry ash is brought in during the spring transplantation of flower crops. Fertilizer is embedded in the soil and the plant is watered.

How much ash does flowers need?

• For one adult specimen 2-3 tbsp is enough. l. ash powder.
• When growing garden plants, a different dosage is used - 200 g per 1 sq. meter of soil.

During flowering, crops are fertilized by spraying on the leaf. The infusion for this is prepared from 1.5 tbsp. l. ash per 1 liter of water. Previously, the composition is insisted for 5-7 days. Geraniums, fuchsias and cyclamens are especially fond of such feeding.

Over the summer, you can feed garden and indoor flowers with ash infusion 3-4 times, making it more concentrated (3 tablespoons per 1 liter of water).

Ash is an excellent source of minerals needed by plants. Fertilizer is easy to prepare on your own, it is safe for crops and humans, but requires precise dosage. Application of such feeding takes a little time and gives very good results.