What to do with Winter Ash?

[patricimo54]

We normally don't have a need to start burning wood until November and we are done by mid March. Even at that it is hit and miss. A fire in the morning to take the chill out and then again in the evening until bed time. We don't accumulate ash like you northern folks, but we have to deal with our share.



Because I also burn hardwood pallets that causes me to accumulate nails. I dump the ash into a mason's tray and run a magnet thru it to recover the nails and then I dump the ash in my garden plot.
What do y'all do with yours?

[acewoodsman]

i'm on the same page as u-all ;D i dump all my ash in the gardens

[coonhunter87]

I dig a hole with the mini hoe and bury them i burn about 200 pallets a year plus wood way to much ash to be digging through!

[woodsman416]

I add it to my compost bin.

[lilweasel]

I dump mine threw a screen then throw it out somewhere on my 15 acres.

[minnesotascott]

I use the ashes on the driveway in the winter when it gets alot of ice on it. Then after th eice and snow is gone it just settles in the dirt and makes the driveway stiffer.

[patricimo54]

Jun 7, 2010 17:32:14 GMT -5 @minnesotascott said:

it just settles in the dirt and makes the driveway stiffer.

I may have to try that ;D

[lookout]

how much ash could a garden handle?
say a 10' X10' section. Also, what is it providing for the garden?

I burn wood steady all winter long and have a whole bunch of ash which I typically dump in the bush surrounding my house.

[patricimo54]

Aug 22, 2010 19:47:04 GMT -5 lookout said:

how much ash could a garden handle?
say a 10' X10' section. Also, what is it providing for the garden?

I don't know how much it can handle, but my thinking is that the ash/alkali helps to balance the acid produced from the leaves and other organic matter that might be tilled into the garden.

[patricimo54]

Aug 22, 2010 19:47:04 GMT -5 lookout said:

how much ash could a garden handle?
say a 10' X10' section. Also, what is it providing for the garden?

I have just came across a little more detailed info. on the subject.
According to M.E.News wood ash is helpful in acidic garden plots. It helps to supply potassium and phosphorus to the soil. They recommend to add no more than 2 cups per 100 sq. ft.(10'x10').
I guessing after applying all we need to to the garden plot we can follow minnesotascott's suggestion to stiffen the drive way.

[minnesotascott]

Ash is used these days in cement. It is a cemetnious material. I have a driveway that is pretty step where it meets the road and had problems when we got heavy ruts and little washouts would happen. With the ash be cementious in just a another year or 2 that little hill should be like a rock. Another note, dont be afraid to save some to boil dirty traps in.