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How to Put Wood Ash in Compost
How to Put Wood Ash in Compost. If you have been composting for a while, you know how easy it is to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste. Before long, you start looking for other things around the house and yard you can add to the compost bin. Wood ash seems to be a likely candidate, after all it is organic matter, and it is already broken down...
If you have been composting for a while, you know how easy it is to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste. Before long, you start looking for other things around the house and yard you can add to the compost bin. Wood ash seems to be a likely candidate, after all it is organic matter, and it is already broken down from its original state. You can compost wood ash, but you must consider the effect. Wood ash is highly alkaline, so it will change the pH of your soil.
Things You'll Need
Soil test kit
Actively managed compost pile
Shovel
Wood ash
Follow the manufacturer's instructions to perform a soil test. Pay close attention to the pH reading, and "liming" guidelines that come with the soil test.
Determine the liming guideline for the pH of your soil. Multiply this guideline by 1.5 to determine how much wood ash (by weight) your soil needs.
Shovel the recommended amount of wood ash to the compost pile, and mix thoroughly.
Turn the pile regularly, at least once per week, until the compost is ready to use.
Tips & Warnings
You can also use wood ash directly around the stems of weeds. This will raise the soil pH to plant-toxic alkalinity levels.
A little wood ash goes a long way. Always perform a soil test before adding wood ash to your compost. If you add too much, you will have to compensate by adding coffee grounds, tea, or another highly acidic material to balance the alkalinity of the wood ash.
