Ash is an excellent mineral fertilizer available to every vegetable grower. It can be applied throughout the whole season, both at the root and at the leaf level. Let's consider the composition and benefits of ash solution for fertilizing, when and how to use it, instructions for use in the garden, application methods, and precautions. And there are cases when ash cannot be used.
Composition and benefits of ash solution
Ash as fertilizer It is most valuable for its potassium content in the form of potash, a compound that quickly dissolves in water and is easily accessible to plants. It contains a lot of phosphorus and calcium, boron, sulfur, magnesium, manganese and almost all the mineral elements necessary for plants. Because of this, it becomes an excellent nutrient for all crops in the garden and garden. The addition of ash can be considered a quick help to crops if they need mineral fertilizing.
Ash has an alkaline composition and when added to the soil, it reduces its acidity. It also acts as a disinfectant, destroying fungi, bacteria in the soil, and pests: nematodes, wireworms, aphids and slugs. It itself does not contain viruses, bacteria, pests - all this is destroyed by fire.
Potassium acts as a regulator of water metabolism. The element is necessary for young tissues, growth points, for the formation of new buds, leaves, and fruits. When plant roots receive potassium, they absorb moisture better, respiration and photosynthesis processes are normalized, and the effect of harmful salts on plants is reduced. Ash not only helps plants grow and develop, it improves the quality of fruits, makes them larger, tastier, and extends shelf life due to their resistance to rot.
There is chlorine in the ash, but in small quantities, so it can be used to fertilize crops that are sensitive to this element: citrus fruits, fruit bushes, grapes, strawberries, potatoes.
The quantitative content of all elements in the ash is not the same and depends on its origin - on the mineral content in the raw materials that were burned. It is advisable to know approximately which raw material predominates, which elements it contains and in what volume, in order to navigate what minerals will be present in the soil.
In what cases is it used?
Ash in dry form or in the form of infusion or extract is used to feed plants from the beginning to the end of the season. It can be applied to the soil during autumn or spring digging, when planting plants and as a top dressing during their growth and fruiting. There are not many contraindications for the use of ash; almost all plants tolerate it well. When using, it is important to adhere to the correct dosage so as not to overfeed the plants.
As for soils, you can add ash powder to all types of soil except alkaline ones, or alternate its use with acidifying fertilizers.
Which ash is better?
In the garden and garden, you can use the ash left over from burning plant residues, branches, leaves, and dry tops. In terms of potassium content, the leader is ash from burning sunflower stems and buckwheat straw, phosphorus - from burning rye and wheat straw, birch and pine firewood, calcium - from burning birch, pine, spruce.
Residues from burning coal, paper with printing ink, painted boards, film, plastic and other materials containing toxic substances should not be used.
Instructions for use in the garden
There are several ways to use ash in the garden.It is applied under the roots to the soil in the form of a solution, simply sprinkled on the ground around the plants or on the entire surface of the beds, prepare an infusion and spray it on the leaf for fertilizer or as an insecticidal agent.
Feeding the roots
To prepare an ash solution in 10 liters of warm water, you need to dilute 1.5 tbsp. powder, leave for 1 day and water the plants: no more than 0.5 liters for vegetable seedlings, 1 liter for mature trees, 1-1.5 liters for shrubs.
Foliar fertilizer for plants
For spraying on the leaf, prepare a weakly concentrated infusion: 1.5 liters per 1 liter, leave for a week. Be sure to filter so that there are no impurities in the liquid that could clog the sprayer nozzle. You can spray healthy garden crops 3-4 times a season; unscheduled spraying can help a sick or damaged plant recover faster.
Sprinkles
Dry powder is scattered on the soil in an amount of 150-200 g per 1 square meter. m when feeding 2-3 times per season. When preparing the soil in the fall, apply from 0.5 to 1 kg per 1 sq. m. m, the increased consumption is explained by the fact that during the winter a certain amount of mineral elements will be washed into the lower layers of the soil. After scattering, you need to dig or loosen the area to mix the powder with the soil.
You can add ash to the holes when planting: for vegetable seedlings - 1-2 tbsp. l., for shrubs – 0.5 l, for trees – 0.5-1 l. In this case, you also need to mix it with soil so as not to burn the roots.
Spraying
An ash solution for feeding can be used as a remedy for pests and diseases, for example, powdery mildew. For spraying, you need to prepare an infusion of 0.3 kg of ash per 10 liters, strain. Treatment can be done as prevention and as treatment in the initial stages of the lesion.
Precautionary measures
When preparing the solution or scattering the powder, you need to wear rubber gloves to avoid skin irritation. Wear a respirator and goggles on your face to prevent the powder from getting into your eyes and nose. After work, wash your face and hands.
Store ash only in a dry place. Getting wet in the rain and melting snow contribute to the washing out of elements and reduce its effectiveness.
It is not advisable to mix ash or apply nitrogen fertilizers at the same time. The effectiveness of both fertilizers will decrease. The break between applications should be 2 weeks.
In what cases should ash not be used?
For highly alkaline soils, you need to find a different fertilizer. Due to the alkaline reaction, do not feed plants that love acidic soil: conifers, heather, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, azaleas.
Do not apply if there is a noticeable excess of potassium, phosphorus and calcium. Overfeeding plants has the same negative effect on plants as lack of nutrients.
Ash and preparations made from it are an excellent natural fertilizer that can be found in any garden plot. Absolutely harmless, inexpensive, with an unlimited shelf life, if stored correctly, the fertilizer can be used to feed and treat all cultivated plants: from vegetables to flowers. Ash nutrients are easily accessible and completely absorbed; there are no harmful compounds in it. Fertilizing is always at hand, nourishes the plants while they grow, protects them from diseases and pests, and improves the quality and keeping quality of the fruit.
