Uses For Firewood Ashes

by Mike
(Canterbury)

If you use stoves regularly you will quickly build up a lot of firewood ashes. Here are a few ideas for how you can use them:

• As a general garden fertilizer
- sprinkle them thinly directly on your lawn or garden beds, or apply more heavily around fruit canes and trees. The rain will wash a thin layer in quite quickly.


• As a drive and path deicer
- wood ash breaks down ice in the same way salt does. Spread it on snow and ice to clear the way.


• Feed tomato plants
- Tomatoes are notoriously hungry for nutrients. When you plant them put half a cup of ashes in the hole.


• Ash is a mild abrasive
- ashes on a damp cloth can polish brass or clean soot off the inside of glass door of your stove.


• Add a small amount regularly to your compost heap
- sprinkle some ashes lightly on your compost heap when you add to it. The nutrients will improve your compost. Don't over do it or your compost may suffer.


• Block slugs and snails
- they don't like crossing ash or charcoal. Spread a heavier ring around vulnerable plants to prtect them.



If you have more tips please share them in the comments!