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Wood You Like to Ash a Question?

6/17/2015

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I'm probably the only one who finds the title of today's blog post about using wood ash in the garden funny, but hey, life is short so I thought I'd take a chance! Some say I have a great sense of humour, but well... it's only some :-)

So, anyways, onto today's topic: wood ash. If your like us, on summer nights (spring and fall too if the weather co-operates) we love to have people over for a backyard campfire. Enough so, that the ash from the wood we've burnt has piled up and needs to removed to somewhere before the next fire. So, where to move it to???
Wood You Like to Ash a Question?
Well, as it turns out, you can use that ash in the garden! But before you go ahead and dump vast quantities of ash into your soil, there are a few things you should know:

Wood ash can be a great addition to the garden, mind you, it does have to be pure wood ash. No bits of garbage, cardboard or pressure treated, painted or stained wood. This ash contains most of the 13 essential nutrients the soil must supply for plant growth, including calcium, potassium and magnesium.

Root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, turnips, peas and beans will do great with a little bit of added ash, some fruits as well such as raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. Underwater plants can also be strengthened by using 1 spoonful per 1000L of water.

0.5 - 1 lb. per year is actually recommend for shrubs and rose bushes. It's best to spread the ash evenly on the soil around the plants and rake it in lightly, being careful not to damage the roots. Never leave ash in lumps or piles as the concentrated salt leaves will leach into the soil creating a harmful environment for the plants.

Another benefit is that wood ash can be used to help repel insects, slugs and snails. However, once the ash gets wet, the wonderful repelling effect it has vanishes.

However, this being said, being alkaline, wood ash obviously isn’t an ideal addition if your soil already has a pH of 7.0 or greater. Regardless of your pH, it shouldn't be added around acid-loving plants such as blueberries or potatoes either as it can encourage the growth of "potato scab" which is a fungus. Newly germinated seedlings are another thing to stay away from as the ash contains too many salts for them.

So ash I see it (I did it again), using wood ash in the garden has many natural benefits. So I say - go ahead - have those backyard campfires! Roast some marshmallows! You'll only be helping your vegetables if you do :-)

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Bloom of the Week: Buckeye Belle Peony

6/3/2015

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Buckeye Belle peonies are an early-flowering, ruby red peony. This semi-double has glossy outer petals that loosely follow the curving contours of a wide brandy glass. These enclose a ruffled taffeta middle of fimbriate red petals set among golden stamens. The foliage has an emerald green tint. When sunlight strikes, this peony is a jewel in the late-spring border. These peonies make excellent cut flowers.

Good Companions
Peonies mix well with roses because most share the same foliage tones of glossy copper-red. Although peonies flower for two weeks on average, their handsome foliage carries them through spring, summer and autumn. Also, they add structure and form to a border and can be planted with later-flowering annuals such as cosmos, or used with penstemons.


Growing Tips
  • Peonies are long-lived, resilient plants for good soil and sunny positions. They do not enjoy waterlogged soil. Contrary to popular opinion they can be moved. However, if you do move them, it is best to do so in the fall.
  • The most common mistake is planting them too deeply. The tuberous roots should be planted 2 in. below the soil surface.
  • Containerised plants should be planted so the soil surface in the pot remains level with the ground. Stake in April to prevent blooms from flopping in wet weather. Large plants need sturdy semicircular metal hoops. Peonies like cold winters and generally flower better afterwards.
  • Peony wilt can be a problem. It tends to strike in wet summers and the wilted foliage should be removed and destroyed. Generally plants seem to recover the following year.
  • Cut down the foliage every autumn and tidy up the plant and to help prevent diseases.

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    Author

    Hello! My name is Lee Ann and I am the daughter-in-law to the Giesbrechts. I have learnt much about gardening from helping out in the greenhouse, but I hope that through writing this blog, I will learn more and be able to share the things I have learnt with you!

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