Description

**Wood Ash Fertilizer & Soil Neutralizer (1 Gallon)** *A Natural Way to Achieve Neutral pH* We use only oak, maple, and hickory hardwood trees to create your wood ash product! Unlike the decomposed remains of leaves, stems, and other green plant parts, burned wood doesn’t contain nitrogen. However, it does provide phosphorus, potassium, calcium, boron, and other essential nutrients that growing plants need. Wood ash is also highly alkaline and useful for raising soil pH in gardens. You'll need about twice as much wood ash as lime, but it will supply nutrients at the same time. Before using, be sure to perform a soil test to determine if your soil would benefit. If your yard or garden soil has a pH of 7 or higher, consider giving the ashes to a friend with more acidic soil. Avoid using wood ash around acid-loving plants such as blueberries and azaleas, or on potatoes, which can develop scab disease if the pH is too high. Only use wood ash, not ash from coal, charcoal briquettes, or synthetic logs. Keep it away from green foliage, especially young seedlings, as it can burn them. Ashes are caustic, which is why they were traditionally used in making lye soap or for turning corn kernels into hominy. Avoid adding them to compost piles, as they can become overly concentrated. Wood ash is a great homemade source of potassium, a nutrient whose name comes from "potash," literally meaning the substance made from soaking ashes in a pot. Ever wonder why potassium is represented by the letter "K" on the periodic table? It’s because "P" was already taken by phosphorus! "K" stands for *kalium*, derived from the Arabic *al-qali* (alkali). **Here are three ways to use wood ash in your garden:** 1. **Sprinkle on the lawn**: Apply lightly and follow with a good watering. Ash will benefit the grass and foster the growth of clover, which improves soil and provides nectar for bees. 2. **Make ash tea for tomatoes**: Place five pounds of ash in a permeable cloth or burlap bag, tie it shut, and lower it into a 50-gallon garbage can filled with water, like a giant tea bag. Let it steep for about four days. Then, use a watering can to apply a cupful around your tomato plants once a week, starting when the plants begin to flower. Most crops can use a potassium boost, but tomatoes especially benefit from it. 3. **Spread ash around hardwood trees**: Return the valuable nutrients to their source, especially around apple trees, which thrive with this treatment. Even small amounts of ash from an occasional fire make a great end-of-winter gift for a favorite tree. --- **Disclaimer:** I am not responsible for the effects on your plants or how you choose to use wood ash. Please do your own research before applying it.