Jim Langford
TVWBB Fan
I often wonder if it would do my lawn and plants any good to sprinkle some of my charcoal ash over them. Any knowledgable gardeners out there?
What to do with ashes from barbecue?
- Thread starter Jim Langford
- Start date
- Status
Kevin Taylor
TVWBB All-Star
Jim....
That is where every bit of my ash goes...right into the garden. Been doing it for over 20 years with no ill effects to the plants.
That is where every bit of my ash goes...right into the garden. Been doing it for over 20 years with no ill effects to the plants.
G
Guest
Guest
I think it is important to know what is in your charcoal and what type of soil you have before you add it to your garden/plants. Charcoal ashes are really basic and can really screw up the pH of the soil, kind of like dumping a big pile of lime on the garden.
Also alot of charcoal has lots of semi-toxic substances in it that you might not want in your garden, especially sulfur compounds. These are similar to the stuff found when coal is burned and that contribute to acid rain, not something I want on my garden.
I know that growing up we always used to dump them on the garden with no bad effects, but now that I understand what is in charcoal I just throw them away. Just my opinion though.
I just did a Google search on charcoal ashes and gardening and found that opinions are split about 50/50. Some say never put them on the garden while others say they can be treated just like wood ash and do provide nutrients for the soil. I guess it all comes down to what you are comfortable with.
Tim
Also alot of charcoal has lots of semi-toxic substances in it that you might not want in your garden, especially sulfur compounds. These are similar to the stuff found when coal is burned and that contribute to acid rain, not something I want on my garden.
I know that growing up we always used to dump them on the garden with no bad effects, but now that I understand what is in charcoal I just throw them away. Just my opinion though.
I just did a Google search on charcoal ashes and gardening and found that opinions are split about 50/50. Some say never put them on the garden while others say they can be treated just like wood ash and do provide nutrients for the soil. I guess it all comes down to what you are comfortable with.
Tim
Rich G
TVWBB Honor Circle
Jim-
When I cook with lump charcoal or wood, I will use the ash in the garden soil. If I use briquettes (99% of the time, they are Kingsford), then I usually throw them out. No scientific reason other than I wasn't sure what was in them, so I opted for the cautious route.
Hope that helps.
Rich G.
When I cook with lump charcoal or wood, I will use the ash in the garden soil. If I use briquettes (99% of the time, they are Kingsford), then I usually throw them out. No scientific reason other than I wasn't sure what was in them, so I opted for the cautious route.
Hope that helps.
Rich G.
- Status