Can you use wood ash on the garden and on plants?

I have several open fires in my house which we use all winter, but then there is the problem of the wood ash when the fireplaces have to be cleaned out in the morning. Can you use wood ash on the garden and on plants? If so, do I need to treat it first in some way, or can I just spread it around the garden?

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May 20, 2010
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Can you use Wood Ash on the Garden?
by: Countryfarm Lifestyles

I just wanted to further add that while wood ash is great for plants like garlic and brassicas, the ash has a high PH and is lime. Any plants which don't like lime such as blueberries or other lime haters will not respond well to ash in the soil around their roots.

And yes, you certainly can make soap out of wood ash, known as lye. We have a page on this very subject which you can find here Making Lye for Soapmaking.

May 17, 2010
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using wood ashes
by: Handmade

Yes you can use wood ashes in the garden but in a limited amount. Too much can unbalance the soil and create serious problems. If you use a search engine, you will find some really good, and specific information on wood ashes and gardens.

And if you are really into homesteading etc-you make lye from water poured over wood ashes., You use lye with a couple of other things to make the old timey soap. What I found using home made lye soap was that is why our grandmothers used hot hot water, and blueing in the wash water. The whites come out dingy otherwise. The other thing I found using it for laundry is how marvelously soft the clothes were.

And if you have any tiny scratches on your hands you will know it if you wash your hands with the old timey soap.

Apr 29, 2010
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Wood Ash in your Garden
by: Countryfarm Lifestyles

Yes, you can use wood ash in your garden and in your compost heap.

It is a good source of carbonate of potash and therefore makes an excellent fertilizer.

Be careful however, not to use wood in your stoves or fireplaces that has been treated as the chemicals used for this will still be left in your ash and could damage your plants.

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