The potassium in wood ashes encourages strong stems in plants while the phosphorus encourages root growth. Soil low in potassium often benefits from wood ash.

Video Transcription

Danny: Tricia, it looks the azaleas and the camellias are certainly growing well here. Tricia: Yeah. I’m really pleased with how they’re coming along. Danny: And what is this? Are you taking this out or putting it into the bowl? Tricia: Well actually, I took this out of my fireplace and I’m going to put it into the soil. Danny: Now, how could that help at all? With just wood ash, how can that benefit any plant? Tricia: Well, the fact that you said it, wood ash is a really good point because we want to make sure that when we use this ash when we’re finished with the fireplace for the season that you haven’t burnt any wood that has paint on it or nails. Danny: Or maybe even treated wood is probably not a good idea. Tricia: Yeah. Not a good idea at all. We don’t want to add those extra chemicals. But, wood ash has potassium in it that helps build the stems and phosphorous which helps with the root growth. Danny: Now, is that good for any plants or do some plants like the acidic nature more so than others? Tricia: Well certainly, azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, blueberries, a lot of plants that you find all over the US love acid soil and this helps with it. But it’s also good for compost piles. Danny: Okay. What about planting when you’re actually planting a plant, is it good to maybe use this in the course of the actual plant? Tricia: Yes. That would be a great idea and there are a lot of plant mixes that already have it in it. So, it’s a really fabulous way to use something that would otherwise be trash and enhance your garden all over the place.