What do do with wood ash?
Wondering what to do with all the wood ash you accumulate throughout the winter? Well it's actually more useful than you'd think...
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You can use it on icy paths and driveways. It melts the ice like salt does.
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Add to your compost. Do this bit by bit. Make sure that the ash you're putting in was never treated or painted when it was wood. Otherwise you'll be putting chemicals and nasty stuff into your compost. Wood ash contains about 10% Potassium (Potash), 1% Phosphate and small amounts of manganese, iron, copper, boron and zinc. All good stuff.
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You can use it instead of lime. Wood ash contains between 25% and 45% Calcium Carbonate (which is alkaline). It's will neutralise the acid in your soil. Use about twice as much as you would lime. Do a test before you apply liberally!
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Add directly to the soil. Ash is especially good with your veg patch, fruit tree's and bushes. Avoid using on potatoes and any plant that likes acid soils such as Blueberry, Juniper and Conifer. Tomatoes especially love a little mixed in to some soil.
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If you want to make your own soap you can use Ash to make Lye. Basically you soak the ashes in water then mix with fat. You'll actually be making Caustic Soda so be careful - it can be highly corrosive. It can also be used in the making of biodiesel.
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Get a damp cloth or sock and dab some ash on it. Use it to clean down the glass on your stove or fireplace.
