Is there an environmentally friendly way to recycle ashes from a wood burning stove?
I don’t want to just throw them in the trash. Can I use them in the garden or something??
THANK YOU all so much–great answers all.. Very helpful.
I don’t want to just throw them in the trash. Can I use them in the garden or something??
THANK YOU all so much–great answers all.. Very helpful.
In the garden i spread it around the garden the lawn grass thrives on it.
The instructions I got with my stove said the ashes have no value as a fertiliser. I think the combustion is more complete in stoves. But I still put them to use in my garden.
The ash is actually good for your gardens…my parents are from europe and taught me to put them in ..it’s kinda like compost,it helps w/ the ph,I’ve had a garden for years and its great.
You can use ashes in the garden – especially you can layer them in your compost. Potash is brill for the garden but obviously you don’t want to overwhelm it.
yes they will also help your grass grow. I grew up on a farm and we burnt our pasture every year in the fall for that purpose.
Of course spread it over the garden or add it to the compost heap ,it has a mild beneficial effect and absorbs moisture.so it is good to mix in with the soil.
We used to brush our teeth with it when camping. Shines them up nicely. DON’T soak them though or you will have lie I think it is- can burn you (or plants) pretty well. We spread them on the lawn/woods or garden in the summer and anyplace you want to melt snow in the winter; just make sure there aren’t any nails in it if you put it on the drive.
We collect them in a few buckets for a while and then we spread them over the hosta and daffodil beds during the winter months. It should be fine unless you are burning plastic in your stove (which seems unlikely).
It depends on where you are. In the eastern U.S., the soil is acid and can benefit from a sprinkling of wood ash to "sweeten" it. Just be sure that there are no burning embers left in your ash bucket. In the western U.S., the soil is alkaline and will not benefit. In general, places that get relatively high rainfall (35"/yr and more) have acid soil; those with low rainfall have alkaline soil.
I’ve also heard of wood ash as a component in metal polish. Never tried it, though. You can use the ash as the alkaline component if you make your own soap, too.
I heat with wood. Out here in the country we spread the ashes on snow and ice in the drive way. Also on the gardens, and then on the lawn. All growing things enjoy the potash and the carbon is harmless and soaks into the ground. Recycling at it’s best.
I use mine in the garden, and as ice melter on the driveway and sidewalks. I also carry a bucket of ash in my car for traction in case I get stuck on an icy patch of road.
Wood ashes may be used in the garden as stated in other replies. Be aware that many soils in this area are quite alkaline though. A pH analysis performed by a local garden store or the Cornell Cooperative Extension can confrim the pH of your soil. For most plants a pH of 6.2 to 6.5 is appropriate. If your soil is already alkaline (pH above 7.0), the addition of sulfur, leaves, or peat moss to the soil when distributing the ashes will compensate for the alkalinity of the wood ash.
I always empty the ashes straight onto the garden. Certainly doesn’t do the plants any harm even if it doesn’t do any good.
there are 3 steps first the the ashes in a bucket and add plenty of water to it. let it soak over night then flter it and mix it to the soil in your backyard.make sure u mix it well.burtnt wood contains potash and other minerals which plants require for immunity
Absolutely !!!!! Unless you want to get REAL frugal & use them to make homemade soap, ashes from a woodstove are pure potash & benefit a garden [or most all plantings]tremendously.
I add the ashes from my woodburning stove to my compost bin (obviously once thoroughly cooled). I find that they help improve the consistency of the compost.
use them on your garden it will improve your soil