Author |
Message |
slowcompost Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 01 Jan 2010 Posts: 17
|
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:40 pm Post subject: coal ashes in the garden |
|
|
i had fires with coal and wood and mixed the ashes together and sieved out the lumps of leftover coal and spread it on my garden, it wasnt a heavy amount of it but now im reading its a bad idea, did i just do a lot of damage to my soil??? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
James Kilkelly Rank: Site Admin

Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2173 Location: West of Ireland
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Ruby Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 37 Location: Kerry
|
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
We have been speading ashes for years - directly in some areas or mixed with compost - and find it fantastic for our heavy soil. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
medieval knievel Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 1010
|
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
coal ash contains heavy metals and other things you wouldn't want in your soil, especially if you're growing food in the soil. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
forest flame Rank attained: Yew tree

Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 384 Location: DUBLIN
|
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 12:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
we burn logs and briquettes and i put the ashes in the compost bin.
is this a bad idea? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
medieval knievel Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 1010
|
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
the ashes won't add anything to the compost process - there's nothing to break down, so you're as well off adding it to the completed product or sprinkling it on the beds.
can't say i like using turf in the fire, though. too many questions about sustainability, and not enough heat. lovely smell, though. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tunnelsofhens10 Rank attained: Rowan Tree


Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 146 Location: Longford
|
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I burn turf all year round in the Range, great for heating, cooking and lots of hot water, I agree about sustainability, but we draw from a small plot maintained and with no threat to local wildlife. Unlike Bord na Mona. Anyway turf ash should be good for the soil, right? Definitly Wrong! Thank God I only threw it around my rose bushes and not on my Veg patch, Result? All roses dead as a doornail. Lesson? Be like the P.O.W.s digging the escape tunnel, walk around the nearest field and dribble to the ground! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Belfast Rank attained: Sessile Oak Tree


Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 297 Location: County Limerick
|
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 1:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
Coal ash from smokeless coal can kill plants. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2006 - present IrishGardeners.com (part of GardenPlansIreland.com)
|