Wood Ash... Read all about it....

Ohsogreen

Ohsogreen

Well-Known Member
Wood Ash - a natural pH up (fights over acidic soil), a natural source of minerals, a cheap amendment. All of which can be good things.
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Since wood ash is derived from plant material, it contains most of the 13 essential nutrients the soil must supply for plant growth
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When wood burns, nitrogen and sulfur are lost as gases. Calcium, potassium, magnesium and trace element compounds remain. The carbonates and oxides remaining can be valuable in raising pH, thereby helping to neutralize acid soils.
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So, how do I use them ? One teaspoon to a gallon of water is a good start. Before use, check the pH of your soil. Then after use, wait one full day and recheck your soil pH. As always, my approach is start low, go slow - it's a safer way of doing things.
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Since, Hardwoods contain more minerals overall (five times more), than soft woods like pine; use hardwood ash.
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Hope this helps...
Keep it Real...Organic....
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goldenchips

goldenchips

Well-Known Member
Hey Ohso, how about charcoal ashes, here in oregon hardwood ash is tough to come by, but kingsford is made from hardwood. If I dont use lighter fluid to start it, would it suffice you think, or should i use pine?
 
Seamaiden

Seamaiden

Well-Known Member
I need my pH to go down. We do have three or for burn piles from which I sometimes gather ash or charcoal (we burn manzanita, pine, brush).
 
Ohsogreen

Ohsogreen

Well-Known Member
goldenchips said:
Hey Ohso, how about charcoal ashes, here in oregon hardwood ash is tough to come by, but kingsford is made from hardwood. If I dont use lighter fluid to start it, would it suffice you think, or should i use pine?
Click to expand...
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Goldenchips.... Kingsford charcoal will work, just start it with newspaper & dryer lint. After it has completely burned out & cooled down, gather your ashes and keep them dry, until use.
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Keep it Real...Organic....
.
 
Ohsogreen

Ohsogreen

Well-Known Member
Seamaiden said:
I need my pH to go down. We do have three or for burn piles from which I sometimes gather ash or charcoal (we burn manzanita, pine, brush).
Click to expand...
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Seamaiden.... To bring pH down... Use Nestea with lemon. The citric acid in it will bring pH down. Start with one heaping tablespoon to a quart of water. Water it in, using the whole quart for one potted plant.
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The next day, check the pH (so it's a accurate reading). If it still needs to come down, repeat the process - until you get what you need. Safe, cheap & effective.
.
Hope this helps....
Keep it Real...Organic....
.
 
IGTHY

IGTHY

Well-Known Member
Ohsogreen said:
Wood Ash - a natural pH up (fights over acidic soil), a natural source of minerals, a cheap amendment. All of which can be good things.
.
Since wood ash is derived from plant material, it contains most of the 13 essential nutrients the soil must supply for plant growth
.
When wood burns, nitrogen and sulfur are lost as gases. Calcium, potassium, magnesium and trace element compounds remain. The carbonates and oxides remaining can be valuable in raising pH, thereby helping to neutralize acid soils.
.
So, how do I use them ? One teaspoon to a gallon of water is a good start. Before use, check the pH of your soil. Then after use, wait one full day and recheck your soil pH. As always, my approach is start low, go slow - it's a safer way of doing things.
.
Since, Hardwoods contain more minerals overall (five times more), than soft woods like pine; use hardwood ash.
.
Hope this helps...
Keep it Real...Organic....
.
Click to expand...
Finally someone listens. I've always used wood ash in the last two weeks of flowering and all the time the same results;full thick bud flowers.
 
Seamaiden

Seamaiden

Well-Known Member
Ohsogreen said:
.
Seamaiden.... To bring pH down... Use Nestea with lemon. The citric acid in it will bring pH down. Start with one heaping tablespoon to a quart of water. Water it in, using the whole quart for one potted plant.
.
The next day, check the pH (so it's a accurate reading). If it still needs to come down, repeat the process - until you get what you need. Safe, cheap & effective.
.
Hope this helps....
Keep it Real...Organic....
.
Click to expand...
Awesome, and it holds it down better than vinegar? :)
 
Ohsogreen

Ohsogreen

Well-Known Member
Seamaiden said:
Awesome, and it holds it down better than vinegar? :)
Click to expand...
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Seamaiden.... Yes, it works as well as vinegar - with a greatly reduced risk of acid burn - plus it gives your plants a simple source of carbs....
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Keep it Real...Refreshing & Organic..... Your plants will thank you......
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B

bouncy bob

Active Member
what about barby charcoal???

off to have a big bonfire the weekend anyway but havent cleaned the barby recently??

comments please
 
Seamaiden

Seamaiden

Well-Known Member
Not really. It never would occur to me to use a packaged charcoal product instead of just wood or wood ashes. :)
 
Seamaiden

Seamaiden

Well-Known Member
And that's probably a more bounce-resistant method. It's actually pretty easy to find LOTS of ways to keep pH up. What's a hell of a lot harder is bringing it down and keeping it down with water that's well-buffered. When I was full-on fishgeek I would filter through peat moss, that's a solid.
 
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