The ash left after the wood burns in a stove, fire place or bonfire is called wood ash and can be used as a natural fertilizer for your garden plants.

There are large benefits of wood ash in garden. They can provide nutritional benefits to the plants. The soil in which the plant grows may be low in nutrients since they are used for a long time and the soil becomes rough with less nutrition. In such condition it is always preferred to use natural fertilizers.

Restoring pH of soil:

One of the great benefit of wood ash in soil is for maintaining the pH and reducing the acidity of the soil. pH level of 7 is considered as neutral. While above 7 is alkaline and below 7 is considered as acidic. Both the acidic and alkaline conditions are bad for the plants and soil. In case your soil has acidity close to the range of 6.5 to 7, then avoid using wood ash as the soil is already healthy and neutral.

Addition To Compost:

Wood ash is more beneficial in garden when it is used with compost. It is a great addition to the compost heap as it acts as a catalyst in increasing the fertility of the soil. Don’t overdo it since too much of wood ash could harm the beneficial micro-organisms of the soil.

Boost for Tomatoes:

Produce a wood ash tea for your tomato plant once a week as soon as the plant begins to flower. This increases potassium levels in plant which helps in its growth.

Direct Supplement:

Sprinkle a minor amount over the soil to visualize the benefits of wood ash in garden. Remember that the wood ash is not a healthy supplement for the snails and other organisms of the garden which are equally beneficial. Hence, it is advisable to sprinkle a very small amount of it.