Benefits of ash in gardening

Since we recently changed the heating method and switched from gas to good old wood, which has a much higher caloric value, there is also a product that is often dumped in households or considered garbage - ash.

Ash was utilized in numerous ways back then, including washing clothing after it was combined with water (they say nothing can make clothes white like that), cleaning silver-plated pieces, and also gardening.

The preparation phase of our garden is still ongoing; there is still more land to be dug up, grass to pluck, and ground to shred up for planting. I worked outside for at least two hours every day because the current weather was perfect for it (by summer, I'll be in great shape - no gym required).

Once the ash is blended, the plants and soil benefit from disinfection, followed by a very essential item - the elimination of harmful substances. In the case of acidic soil, the ash will neutralize and balance the PH. Although I am sure that our soil is not acidic, but rather neutral and extremely conducive to agriculture, the ash will enrich it further in this case due to the presence of several minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

It is very important to note that the ashes must be from whole wood, there must be no burnt iron or anything else.

Every morning before lighting the fire and after cleaning the logs, I get on average half a bucket of this precious and underrated product.
Then I scatter the ashes in the order in which I clear the ground of grass, roots, and small bits of glass, and then mix everything finely with a rake.

What should not be mixed with ash is if the soil is of calcareous origin, and if the soil has been previously treated with calcium (which I have not yet done), acid fertilizers are also out of the question.

Which plants love this type of treatment?

Potatoes, before planting, can be dipped in the cracked part of the ash and thus laid in the ground, it will protect it from pests and give it nutrition (similar to growth hormone).

In our region, cabbage is one of the most demanding crops, as well as a favorite of the famous cabbage butterfly (Pieris brassicae). Even in its early stages, it is common for the leaves to be damaged, causing the plant's growth to slow or stop; a little ash sprinkled on the leaves will drive away all the hungry.

One cup of ash is enough for 1m².

Tomatoes and peppers are among the highest potassium users, which means that the ash technique is great for them; simply add it to the hole before planting, and then plant as usual.

If you wish to produce a growth stimulant, put three teaspoons of ash into one liter of water and let it for seven days, stirring occasionally. Filter the water and dilute it with clean water in a 1:3 ratio.
Soak the seeds in the solution before planting.

It is becoming increasingly rare for households to heat with wood today; however, you can make your own ash by digging a hole in an open space, laying the wood, lighting a fire, and storing the ash in a plastic bag until it is time to use it; it has no shelf life, and most importantly, hide it from the wind.

It is advisable to slightly water the land after application (if there is no rain announced); this time I had a good plan and a harmonized weather forecast, so the light rain soaked beautifully and united everything.

Never ending happiness!

(I would like to mention that a lot of information was discovered thanks to Ranka Vojinovic, a graduate in agricultural engineering.)