Question
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Hey Mack, thanks for the answers to my previous questions. I have heard many contrasting opinions about adding ash to the garden, what would you recommend? I have a considerable ammount of ash (eight medium to large trees worth) and was wondering if this would be benificial to the garden, and if so, at what time(s) and in what amount. What are your views on rototilling the garden (when, how often)? I'm in the Milwaukee area if geography affects these aspects of gardening.
Thanks,
 Brian

Answer
Dear Brian:

RE: Wood Ashes:  Wood ash has a very fine particle size, so it reacts rapidly and completely in the soil. Although small amounts of nutrients are applied with wood ash, the main effect is that it is a liming agent. The average ash is equivalent to a 0-1-3 (N-P-K). The chemical makeup varies with the type of wood burned. Hardwoods produce three times as much ash per cord as do softwoods.

Calcium and potassium are both essential to plant growth. Calcium is needed for root development, strong cell walls and protein formation in the plant. Potassium is an important catalyst in photosynthesis and is essential for the movement of sugars, seed formation, protein synthesis and the use of nitrogen in plants.

Wood ash should never be applied to areas where potatoes will be planted as ash can promote potato scab. For most garden soil, 20 pounds (about a 5-gallon pail) per 1,000 square feet can be applied safely each year. That equals about 6 pounds of ground limestone applied to the same area.

The best time to apply wood ash is in the spring when the soil is dry and before tilling. In compost piles wood ash can be used to maintain a neutral condition, the best environment for microorganisms to break down organic materials. Sprinkle ash on each layer of compost. This is especially good if you have oak leaves or pine needles in your compost heap.

RE: Rototilling.  My personal philosophy is to rototill the plot at the end of the gardening season and then cover it with 1 to 2 inches of compost.  In the early spring, rototill again and add more compost and rototill again.

Regards,

Mack Jean
AllExperts
Master Gardener
Tennessee