Wood ash is a byproduct of burning wood and can be used to regulate soil acidity, but should not be used as fertilizer if the wood was treated with chemicals. Fly ash from burning coal can be dangerous if inhaled and is regulated by laws.
Wood ash is the byproduct of burning wood and usually takes the form of a powdery substance. After a piece of wood begins to burn, it often turns into a substance known as coke, which is useful in charcoal ovens and furnaces. Once the coke burns further, the result is wood ash. Common places to find this material include camping fire pits, fireplaces, and industrial factories that use wood-burning ovens or kilns. This byproduct is usually disposed of in landfills, although some gardeners will use it to fertilize gardens or patios.
The usability of wood ash in gardens and patios is questionable, as it does not contain nitrogen. However, other nutrients are present and wood ash can be useful for regulating the acidity of the soil. Adding too much, however, can be harmful to the soil because the acidity of the dirt can be high, thus harming plants and starving them of nutrients. Rainfall can also affect the ash’s usefulness to plants; the more moisture the ash reaches, the less nutrients will be available. This by-product is especially useful for adding to the soil around fruit trees and vegetable garden plants.
While some wood ashes may be beneficial for gardens and other areas of plant life, they should never be used as fertilizer if the wood that has been burned has been treated with chemicals. These chemicals may not burn completely during combustion and could end up being introduced into the soil. Plants can then be damaged and water in the area can become contaminated. When wood ash is stored before being used in a garden, it should be kept clean and dry, as moisture can carry away nutrients that will be beneficial to plants. Ash should only be used sparingly in the garden to avoid oversaturation in the soil.
Burning coal can lead to a type of byproduct known as fly ash. This means that the ash particles end up floating in the air and the particles can be dangerous because bystanders can end up breathing in the ash. This can lead to breathing problems. Many coal-fired plants now try to catch the fly ash before it escapes, and the particles can be collected and reused for some construction applications. Laws have been developed in many parts of the world to regulate the amount of this by-product that can be released into the atmosphere.
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