Kitchen Garden Forum

I've got a big heap of bonfire ash, from burning straw and wood shavings.
Can I use it on the garden, and what is the best way to do this?
Is it mostly potash?
Thanks.

Supposedly red and white currents and gooseberries like bonfire ash. I also put a bit on my raspberries and black currents, but don't know if that is right.

Put it in the planting hole with potatoes. You won't have any trouble with slugs. It is potash and potatoes love potash.Use it round young plants to discourage slugs. They leave the plant alone. It's invaluable.

Hi all

I put a bit on everything together with calcified seaweed and, where needed, manure.

The spuds do love it as do any other "hungry" produce. As the old saying goes, a bit of what you fancy does you good. The same must be true for plants.

Keep it dry till you use it. The nutrients wash out very quickly.

I put a load around my garlic as a mulch, it keeps slugs and snails away too!

Gooseberries love it.
If stored, keep it dry until used, it's potassium carbonate and not potassium sulphate as is sold in bags. The carbon content is useful too.
Allan, Hereford

Hey all,i have two dustbins full of 60/40 mix wood ash and coal ash,what do you think a gentle sprinkling all around, and the raised beds? does anything realy not like it? friut trees? Laurie,Old Severn bridge.

Coal ash has a different content, including some real nasties. All the advice I have ever seen says wood ash - yes, coal ash -NO!