Wood ash

[Beryl]

I've been given a large quantity of wood ash. Should I add it to the compost in layers or sprinkle straight on to the soil. No idea which veggies would benefit the most though.
I would be grateful for any advice.

Thanks
Beryl.

[Geoff]

I don't know what you can do with a large quantity apart from keep it dry and use it bit by bit. The traditional things to use it for direct are garlic, fruit trees and gooseberries (and probably other soft fruit).
It will have a composition something like 2½% phosphate and 5% potash. If you buy sulphate of potash as a fertiliser that will be 49% potash, i.e. almost 10 times the strength. A commonly suggested rate for gooseberries and apples is ¾ oz per sq yard of sulphate of potash so you can be pretty generous with wood ash without it doing any harm.
If you really have a lot you can also improve your compost by sprinkling a layer in every now and then.

[Beryl]

Hi Geoff,

I have 5 large 75 litre compost sack fulls, so I can use some to go round the fruit as I've not put any potash round this year and the rest will layer in the compost.

Many thanks for your help.

Beryl.