How To Use Wood Ashes In The Garden – And Why They Work!

• Give your plants a boost with homemade fertilizer tea. Mix three pounds of ash with 30 gallons of water, and let it steep for four to five days. Then, strain out the ash using an old pillowcase or burlap, and use the tea to water your plants and bushes. Your plants will love the extra nutrients and minerals that ash provides.
• Remove stubborn stains on concrete, pavers, stones, and walkways with ash. Rub the ash into the stained areas, let it sit for a while, then sweep or rinse it clean. The abrasive properties of ash make it an effective cleaner for outdoor surfaces.
• Keep slugs and snails at bay by creating a barrier of dry ash around your plants. Sprinkle a ring of ash around the target plants, and reapply after watering or rain. Be careful not to overdo it, though, as too much ash can harm your plants.
• Get rid of pesky ants by sprinkling cool wood ash on their ant hills. The alkaline properties of ash can repel ants and other crawling insects.
• Use ash as a safe and effective ice melt and traction aid on icy walkways and driveways. Spread ash over the slippery surfaces, and let the salts in the ash do their job of breaking up the ice. Unlike chemical ice melts, ash is safe for pets and won’t harm nearby plants.
• Neutralize odors on pets like skunk spray by applying ash to their fur. Avoid getting ash in their eyes, and let the ash sit for a while before washing it off. Ash can absorb and mask foul smells, making it a useful deodorizer.
• Control algae growth in ponds and water features with a sprinkle of wood ash on the surface of the water. The potassium in ash can help balance the pH level of the water and reduce the growth of algae.
• Use ash as a natural abrasive to remove soot and grime from surfaces. Mix ash with water to make a paste, and use it to scrub away dirt and stains.
• Absorb musty or unpleasant odors in your home by placing ash in a container in an inconspicuous area. Ash works like baking soda or charcoal to absorb excess moisture and eliminate odors.
• Incorporating ash into your daily routine can be a smart and sustainable way to repurpose a common waste product. Experiment with these tips and discover the many benefits of ash for yourself.

It is important to note that ash is not just a mere byproduct of heating processes. Rather, it possesses immense value as a highly beneficial resource for various applications, including gardening, home maintenance, and landscaping. With its wide range of applications, ash is an extremely versatile and useful substance that should not be overlooked. Whether you are looking to enhance the health and vitality of your garden or spruce up the appearance of your home or yard, ash can be a highly effective tool to achieve your goals.

Be Safe!

Ensuring safety is a critical aspect of any wood heating practice, and it requires both caution and prudence when handling and managing ashes. It is recommended that ashes be kept in a covered metal container, placed on a non-combustible surface such as dirt or concrete, and kept several feet away from any flammable material in all directions.

Despite the appearance of being completely extinguished, it is important to be aware that buried embers can remain active for extended periods, ranging from days to even weeks. Therefore, it is essential to exercise proper care and attention when disposing of ashes to prevent any potential hazards or mishaps.