May 1, 2022

Are fire pit ashes good for your garden?

Max Firepits

Adding the wood ashes from your fire pit to your garden is a great way to get rid of them, but in this article we explore if fire pit ashes are actually beneficial.

When it comes to backyard fire pit wood ashes, there is no shortage of opinions on whether wood ash good or bad for the garden.

Some people claim that fireplace ashes can be beneficial, especially to acid loving plants as they provide essential nutrients and beneficial minerals that help support plant growth. Others argue that ashes can create an alkaline environment in the soil and disrupt the natural pH balance, causing plants to become stressed and vulnerable to disease. Yikes!

While it is true that fire pit wood ashes can alter the pH level of the soil in certain conditions, this outcome is not necessarily negative. In fact, by understanding what factors influence ash composition and how these changes impact the soil environment, one can gain a deeper understanding of why spreading ash in your garden might be a good idea!

So, if you’ve found yourself asking the question ‘are fire pit ashes good for your garden?’ or whether fire pit wood ashes are genuinely beneficial at all, then keep reading to learn more.

Not All Wood Ash Is Equal

While all wood ash is derived from wood burning, not all types of fireplace ashes are created equal. Some types, such as that from softwoods or leafy trees, can be rich in nutrients but may also contain impurities that can cause degraded soil quality over time. Common woods like oak, pine and maple are relatively safe to use if lightly scattered.

In contrast, ash from hardwoods or deciduous trees tends to be less nutrient-rich, but also hardwood ash contains enough potassium and fewer impurities and is, therefore, more likely to help improve acidic soil quality in the long run. Ultimately, choosing the right type of garden wood ash is crucial for maintaining healthy soil.

So, you should carefully consider their options when thinking about how to fertilise their soil. By choosing only the best fireplace ashes for the job, you can ensure that your gardens continue to thrive.

Advantages of Wood Ash for the garden

Using wood ash in the garden has several advantages that make it a great addition to any green space. Read on to learn more about why recycling wood ash is beneficial for plants and some tips on using them. You may be surprised at just how helpful they can be!

Improve soil fertility

One of the most significant advantages of wood ash fertilizer in the garden is its ability to improve soil fertility. As mentioned earlier, wood ashes contain many essential nutrients like potassium and phosphate that help support plant growth and can also be safely incorporated in your compost.

By adding wood ash to your compost or using it as a mulch, you can give your plants a boost of nutrients that will help them to grow strong and healthy.

fertilising plants with bottle — Wood ashes mixed with water makes a great fertiliser spray for your garden beds.

Control pests and weeds

Another advantage of using wood ash in the garden is its ability to control pests and weeds. Wood ash can help to create a hostile environment for pests like slugs and snails, making it an effective way to protect your plants.

In addition, wood ash can also help to limit weed growth by preventing seeds from germinating.

Can change the PH of your soil

As wood ashes have an alkaline pH, they can be used to raise the pH of acidic soils. This is beneficial for plants that prefer alkaline soil, as it can help to improve their growth. In addition, wood ash can also combat acid rain damage.

Increases growth of plants

Wood ashes contain more nutrients like potassium that help to support plant growth. By adding wood ash to your compost or using it as a mulch, you can boost your plants a boost with other nutrients that will help them grow strong and healthy during the growing season.

Reduces soil acidity

Wood ashes have an alkaline pH, making them effective at reducing soil acidity. This is beneficial for plants that prefer neutral or alkaline soils, as it can help to improve their growth. In addition, wood ashes can also combat acid rain damage. Lightly scattered over your garden or compost heap ( with or without ground limestone ) you can use wood ash to improve areas where fewer nutrients are naturally found.

getting rid of weeds via shovel — Adding cooled wood ashes to your garden has many benefits, including helping to control weeds.

Disadvantages of wood ash for the garden

While discarded wood ashes offer many benefits for the garden, there are also some disadvantages that should be considered before you spread ashes everywhere.

Alters soil pH

One of the main disadvantages of using wood ash fertilizer in the garden is its ability to alter soil pH. As ash from a fire pit has an alkaline pH, they can be used to raise the pH of acidic soils. While this is beneficial for plants that prefer alkaline soils, it can also be harmful to plants that prefer neutral or acid soil. You can easily purchase a soil test kit from places like Bunnings to help you know exactly how much ash to spread.

Should be used sparingly

Another disadvantage of wood ash in the garden is that it should be used sparingly. This is because, as mentioned earlier, wood ashes can alter the pH of the soil. If the pH level becomes too high or low, it can cause plants to become stressed and susceptible to disease.

For this reason, it is always best to test the soil before adding any type of fertilizer.

Contains some heavy metals

While wood ash contains many essential nutrients, it also contains some heavy metals. These heavy metals chemicals can be harmful to plants if they are present at high levels. For this reason, it is vital to test the soil before using wood ash and only to use it sparingly.

Does not work well with certain plants

Some fireplace ashes do not work well with certain types of plants. For example, it can be harmful to plants that prefer acidic soils like tomato plants. In addition, wood ash can also inhibit the growth of some plants. For this reason, it is important to research which plants prefer alkaline soils before adding wood ash to the garden.

As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using wood ash in garden. However, wood ash can be a great addition to any green space when used correctly.

How to use Wood ashes in your garden

As a proud owner of one myself, I can’t emphasise enough how it creates a warm and inviting outdoor atmosphere. What’s even better is when you recycle the leftover ashes to benefit your garden, just like I’ve been doing for years. Fire pit ashes are packed with essential nutrients that work wonders for your soil and plants. In this guide, I’ll share my personal experiences and show you how to use the ashes responsibly for a thriving garden.

Allow the Ashes to Cool Completely

Safety is crucial, and I’ve learned this the hard way. Once, in my excitement, I tried to handle the ashes before they had cooled down completely, resulting in an unpleasant burn. Since then, I always exercise patience and let the ashes cool for a few hours before touching them.

Step 2: Select an Appropriate Storage Container

Having pets and curious kids around, I needed a secure solution for storing leftover ashes. I opted for a sturdy metal container with a lid, placed out of their reach for safety.

Step 3: Remove Non-Ash Materials

In the early days, I overlooked this step and found unburnt wood pieces mixed in with the ashes I applied to my garden. It affected the soil’s nutrient balance. Now, I’m meticulous in removing any debris, ensuring only pure ashes go into the soil.

Step 4: Focus on your Acid-Loving Plants

When I first started using fire pit ashes, I wasn’t aware of their alkaline nature. After some research and trial and error, I now grow beautiful azaleas, blueberries, and hydrangeas in my garden, thriving in the slightly acidic soil.

Test the PH of your soil

Testing the soil pH was an eye-opener for me. I discovered that my garden had slightly alkaline soil, which made me more cautious about using ashes sparingly. Now, I monitor the pH regularly to maintain the optimal balance for my acid-loving plants.

Use ashes sparingly

I initially went overboard with the ashes, thinking more was better. However, I noticed some plants showing signs of stress. Since then, I’ve been using ashes sparingly, starting with a light sprinkling and gradually increasing if needed.

Mix with your compost

Combining ashes with compost was a game-changer for my garden. The mixture provided balanced nutrients and improved soil fertility. My plants responded positively, and I’ve been using this combination ever since.

Distribute them evenly across your garden

In the past, I made the mistake of piling up the ashes around one plant, causing an imbalance in nutrient distribution. Now, I distribute the ash-compost mix evenly around the base of my acid-loving plants for uniform growth.

Water, water, water!

Watering my garden thoroughly after applying the ashes was something I initially overlooked. However, I realised that watering helped the nutrients from the ashes seep into the soil effectively, benefiting my plants’ roots.

Keep an eye on the health of your plants

I always keep a close eye on my plants after adding ashes. Once, I noticed some yellowing leaves, and upon reducing the amount of ashes, the plants quickly recovered. Regular monitoring helps me maintain a healthy garden.

There are many different ways to use fireplace ashes in the garden. One of the most common applications is a fertilizing agent, as wood ash contains many important nutrients like potassium and phosphate. This makes it an ideal addition to compost, where it can boost the quality of your soil, while garden wood ash also helps control pests and prevent weeds.

Another commonly used application is a mulch, which helps insulate plant roots against cold temperatures while also limiting weed growth. In addition, since wood ash has an alkaline pH, it can also be used to combat acid rain or alkaline soils.

Overall, there are countless ways to incorporate wood ash into your garden for a range of benefits that will help make your plants stronger and more productive. When burned, common woods like pine, oak or maple produce calcium, magnesium, and potassium are all present in fire pit wood ash. It’s best to always check the soil first when spreading fire pit wood ashes, just in case.

If the soil is already rich in minerals ( including potassium) then adding more ash might not be the best idea. The same goes for magnesium and calcium. It is essential to understand the needs of your specific garden before adding any type of fertilizer. While fire pit ashes can offer a range of benefits to your garden, it is important to use them sparingly and in moderation. This is because, as mentioned earlier, wood ashes can alter the pH levels of the soil. If the pH levels become too high or low, it can cause plants to become stressed and susceptible to disease, even if they are acid loving plants.

For this reason, it is always best to test the soil before adding any type of fertilizer, including wood ash.

Tips before applying garden wood ashes

1. Do not put too much ash in your garden or compost, as it can raise the pH levels of the soil to an unacceptable level for some plants.
2. Do not add ash from treated wood as it may contain harmful chemicals that may damage your garden beds and produce lye, which is harmful to most plants.
3. Do not use wood ash from coal as it may contain harmful toxins.
4. Only use fresh wood ash that has cooled completely. The last thing you want to do is use a fire extinguisher on your roses!
5. Be sure to spread the wood ash evenly over the soil surface. You don’t want any concentration of trace elements in a clump and none elsewhere.
6. Do not apply ash directly to plant leaves as it may burn them.
7. Do not add wood ash to the garden soil if it is wet, as this can compact the soil.
8. Be sure to wear gloves and a dust mask when handling wood ash or soaking ashes.
9. Always use fireplace ashes in moderation.

Conclusion

Wood ash can be a great addition to any garden when used correctly. It contains many essential nutrients that plants need to thrive, and it can also help control pests and weeds. However, it is important to use wood ash sparingly and in moderation, as it can raise the pH of the soil to an unsuitable level for some plants. Be sure to test the soil before adding wood ash, and always wear gloves and a dust mask when handling it.

Now that you know a bit more about wood ash and how to use it, you can experiment with incorporating it into your garden soil. Just be sure to take the necessary precautions and test the soil before you use wood ash. With a bit of care, you can use wood ash to create a healthier and more productive garden.

We hope you found this article helpful. Please share it with your friends or family who might also benefit from using wood ash in their garden. Thank you for reading!