Save your wooden fire ash this season - it's a free nutrient booster for garden plants when used this way
Don't throw away your leftover ash this winter, it's an overlooked hero for tree health
There are so many ways you can be more sustainable in the garden, and this expert has shown how simply collecting ash from your fires this winter can help your plants flourish next year.
You may or may not know that there are various ways you can use ash in your garden to help with pests, clean tools and even help absorb particularly nasty spills. In fact, using household waste like ash in your garden is one of the best ways to not only reduce your waste output but also keep costs down when gardening too.
Ash has a lot of surprising nutrients, and if you use good quality wood for your log burner or outdoor firepits, you should be keeping the ash to one side.
Whether you're looking to incorporate more sustainable garden practices or want to try save some money in the garden, this is a great free way of doing so. And you're plants will be so thankful you did it!
"Next time you have a fire, whether it's a log burner to save on your heating bill or a gorgeous real fire, gather up the wood ash the next day because it's high in potassium (potash)," explains Simon Ackeroyd, Garden expert and author.
"That's one of the three main plant nutrients. Sprinkle it around your plants, and they will thrive. Don't add too much, though, as it can have a high pH and make your soil too alkaline," he continues.
"You can add the potash now in autumn, but I prefer to collect it up and save it in a bin, then add it in spring when the plant needs it most," finishes Simon.
Whilst it's not exactly an autumn gardening mistake, it's best to save your ash for when your plants will get the most out of the nutrients it provides. To store the ash through winter, we recommend purchasing an airtight plastic container, as this will keep the ash dry right up to springtime.
If you have some of the best trees for pots that grow fruit, then they'll be particularly grateful for the extra potash; just make sure you only add the ash to plants that prefer a more alkaline soil. It's also a great idea to check your soil type and pH before adding any extra nutrients to it!
Ash isn't the only household waste that can help your plants; using coffee grounds in your garden has so many advantages and can again provide some much-needed nutrients to help your leafy friends thrive.
