Q&A for How to Use Ashes As Fertilizer

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  • Question
    Can I use ash for a yellow rose plant?
    Community Answer
    No, you should never give ashes to rose plants because they prefer acidic soil. If you use ashes for roses, they may die in the alkaline soil.
  • Question
    Is paper ash good for plants and shrubs?
    Community Answer
    It will be better if you'll use decayed organic matters like leaves or manure, used to improve soil structure and provide nutrients.
  • Question
    Does boiling water remove fluoride?
    William Shaw
    Community Answer
    It is very unlikely that boiling water would remove fluoride from the soil, and cold water would be cheaper. Adding a diluted solution of calcium chloride would effectively remove any ionic fluoride because calcium fluoride is virtually insoluble in water.
  • Question
    Can I use burned pine ash for a vegetable garden?
    Community Answer
    Yes, provided it has had no treatment, varnish, or preservatives.
  • Question
    Can I use newspaper ashes as fertilizer?
    Community Answer
    Only if the ink is organic. Burn a large strip as a test; if you can still see print, it's not organic.
  • Question
    What is the safest way to burn wood pruned from trees and bushes?
    Community Answer
    Let it dry out; the harder/heavier the wood, the longer it takes (up to a year). Cut the wood into smaller pieces if you want it to dry more quickly. When it comes time to burn it, I use a wood burning stove. Never use petrol/paraffin to start it. Other than that, any method can be safe if you take the proper precautions.
  • Question
    Is citrus acid or alkaline?
    Community Answer
    Citrus fruits are acid, but in your body they are alkaline-producing foods. Lemons, limes, avocados and kiwi are categorized as highly alkaline fruits and are therefore non-acidic. Other non-acidic fruits include bananas, cantaloupe, apples, coconut, grapefruit, grapes, oranges and watermelon.
  • Question
    What about putting cigarette ash in soil?
    Community Answer
    Putting cigarette ash in your soil is not recommended since practically any tobacco product can harbor the tobacco mosaic virus. Even the thorough processing applied to tobacco is not enough to deactivate the virus, and it can persist in the environment for a very long time. For this reason, it is also not recommended to smoke or use tobacco products (e-cigs, chew, etc.) anywhere near your soil or plants. Users of tobacco products should thoroughly and regularly wash their hands before handling any soil or plants or entering the garden area.
  • Question
    Are charcoal ashes good for plants?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but only if used sparingly. I would use the ashes from approximately 24 briquettes around the base of a 6 inch tree, and one tablespoon full of ashes around the 8 inch base of a garden plant. Do not use ashes in highly alkaline soils.
  • Question
    Can I use ashes on my rose bushes?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Just make sure they are cooled first.
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