Re: Ash as nutrient?
- Subject: Re: Ash as nutrient?
- From: T* &* M* R*
- Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2001 10:20:52 +1300
Charl de Winnaar wrote:
>
> Any advice on the benefits, or otherwise, of adding wood ash to beds
> which are mulched with pinechips and other acidic clippings? I have lots
> of ash from my winter fires and want to spread it over my beds. Good
> idea? What nutrients, if any, would it contain? Would it alter the ph
> balance? If so, up or down?
Charl
Wood ash, while it is a source of a number of useful elements including
appreciable quantities of potassium, is particularly high in calcium
carbonate so that weight for weight it is effectively equivalent to
ground limestone, with a corresponding alkalzing effect. It should
therefore be added with caution and only in places, such as vegetable
beds or around deciduous fruit trees. where a relatively high pH will
benefit the plants grown.
How much one can safely add to any soil depends a good deal on the
existing pH and this could certainly be raised by large additions of
ash..
As to the "pine chips and other acidic clippings" you have been adding,
it has been found in practice that these rarely have an ultimate
acidifying effect on a live soil, being broken down or neutralized as
they decay. Yhis is true of most initially acidic organic materials. The
only one I know of which can seriously adicify soil is sphagnum peat and
it only does this effectively because it is highly resistant to decay.
But even peat will break down eventually.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand, SW Pacific. 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Time
