Using Fireplace Ashes In The Garden

Using fireplace ashes in the garden is one way to recycle a natural resource and get some perks at the same time. Mixed into potting soil or spread on the surface of beds, ash supplies four important nutrients for plants: potassium, nitrogen, phosphorous and calcium. Ash benefits don’t end there though; it also adds grit and helps balance the pH level.

Potassium is important for overall plant health, especially during growth spurts. Nitrogen encourages lush foliage and deep roots. Phosphorous promotes fruit production and flower bud development. Calcium helps with cell strength and transmission of nutrients through the circulatory system. Ash also increases soil alkalinity to help balance acidic soil conditions.

Image Source: Gardener’s Path

There are many more uses for fireplace ashes than I ever knew.

1. Compost bin – only a little amongst the organic matter.
2. A light layer around plants can keep slugs away.
3. A tablespoon of ash to 1000 gallons of water for a pond will keep algae down.
4. As a fertilizer.
5. Cleaning silver.