10 brilliant uses for wood ash around the home and garden
By Tracy Teel
Most people take pride in making choices that are environmentally friendly, and anything one can do to minimize their carbon footprint is a step toward a better tomorrow. If you burn wood to warm your home or in an outdoor fire pit for ambiance, the leftover ash can be used in multiple ways.
You’ll find 10 useful ways to use wood ash that follow, but there are a few things to remember first. Only burn untreated wood. Paint, stain and chemical sealants emit dangerous toxic fumes. Repurpose bulky pallets for DIY projects, and donate unwanted furniture and picture frames to a charitable organization instead of burning them.
1. Improve garden soil
Planting a vegetable garden is an effective way to ensure you eat healthier food. Unfortunately, soil acidity can undermine those efforts. Most garden goodies grow best in soil that is balanced. Test the soil with a pH kit. Adding wood ash to acidic soil can help neutralize it and make plants happier and more productive.
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