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Ashes from the fire
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Posted by rosesforme Melb (My Page) on Mon, Sep 5, 05 at 4:13
I have had a tip from a rose grower that you can use ashes from the fire over winter to fertilise the roses.
I heard from my aunt that my grandmother did this always and her roses were a sensation!
I think the ashes are a great source of phosphate???
I am about to do it on my roses,having enough ash from the winter open fires.
I think I will move the mulch over, spread and dig in the ash, water in well and then move the mulch back.
I think I will do this tommorow if its a good day which I think it will be.
What do you think?
Has anyone done this ?
How did it go and was it a good idea?
Thanks
Michelle |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Ashes from the fire
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Michelle they are very alkaline, so keep them away from your azaleas and acid loving plants.
I have never used them myself, so sorry I cannot give you any advice regards to fertiliser.MM. |
RE: Ashes from the fire
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| Thanks MM Will keep that in mind.
Michelle |
RE: Ashes from the fire
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| Hi Michelle, I have been spreading wood ash on my roses since I started growing them four years ago. As I pull all the mulch back from the roses when I prune them, its a good time to sprinkle the ash around before I add fertilizer and re-mulch. I don't dig around my roses, just tickle the surface as I pull the mulch back with a little three pronged cultivator. I then put the ashes on and hope that they will eventually wash down through the soil. They are supposed to be a good source of potash. Can't say if they improve the roses, as I've never not put them on. I look on it as a good use for something that would otherwise be wasted. |
RE: Ashes from the fire
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| Thanks Bluebelle Good info- will follow your example and see how it goes!
Cant do any harm.
Michelle |
RE: Ashes from the fire
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| I haven't tried ashes from wood fires on roses but potash is supposed to strengthen the stems of roses. My husband, who's studied biochemistry, says wood ash is very alkaline so I wouldn't overdo it - I'd just spread it very lightly all over the garden, avoiding my azaleas and stick to using commercial potash on my roses. |
RE: Ashes from the fire
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- Posted by lakota SW West Aust (My Page) on
Thu, Dec 29, 05 at 1:52
| Just be careful not to put it on too thickly as it clogs up the soil. Cheers, Jules |
RE: Ashes from the fire
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| Thanks all I didnt do it after I read the advise here.... Leave well enough alone. cheers...Michelle |
RE: Ashes from the fire
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| Alkali comes from medieval latin (which is actually arabian word al-kali), that means 'calcined ashes'. Ashes is a great fertiliser, but not great for roses which love slighly acid grounds. In old world countries during harsh winters ashes is often used to cover and protect young plants in orchards. It's great fertiliser for your fruit and veggie garden. I've used it a lot back there in Europe. .... - Tom |
RE: Ashes from the fire
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RE: Ashes from the fire
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| Michelle, I've always spread mine out on the garden, particularly through my roses and perennials and it certainly doesn't seem to have harmed them. In fact I believe it does benefit them from what I have seen/heard. As someone said not too thick and only use ashes from natural woods, redgum,etc. I wouldn't go for pine (obviously not treated) and also ash from briquettes, etc. We have our fire going 24/7 in winter so I've always had plenty to put out. I do have a naturally acidic soil here however so the ashes may assist in neautralising it to some degree. I've still got rhodies and camellia's thriving however keep it away from them...Always put it out dry as it spreads over the ground better even though it makes a bit of a mess once the ashes get rained on they disappear. Garry |
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