charcoal ashes for composting

[dumbledorf17]

Wood ash is highly alkaline but it is also a good source of potash. How about ashes from charcoal? Can I also put this in a compost bin with the rest of the greens and the browns?

[mistermaster]

Adding only a small amount of ash to your compost might do you good, but set limits as too much ash can stop the composting and raise the pH of your pile.

[farmerpiper]

If you have mixed charcoal ash into your compost bin or pile, just allow it to sit for several months. If you are able to test the pH once you have harvested the compost, then that would be good, just to be sure because of the alkalinity issues. I guess if you would allow time to pass, contaminants from the charcoal can leach especially after a good thunderstorm.

[sakura]

I've been doing a bit of research on this but I'm getting mixed feedback. A handful of people say to avoid charcoal ash as it creates an imbalance in the soil's pH and affects plant growth.

Then there's the few who says wood ash is ok, but depending on what the wood was. Briquettes are discouraged, but regular wood charcoal is fine. It made more confused

[beezybody]

Ashes are highly alkaline. If you must, use only ashes from non-treated wood. If you use it directly into the soil, use ashes sparingly because it might affect the growth of acid-loving plants.

[krissy]

I presume it's alright because I usually add charcoal to my pile. But if the pile has charcoal ash added to it, I don't use the compost for the edible plants. I use it for the flowers and other plants as well as trees.

I've read somewhere that some charcoals may contain chemical which can be toxic.

[farmerbrie]

OOOps ashes are very alkaline BUT the alkalinity can easily be washed away so if you put ashes in the compost, it will be neutral by the time the compost has finished cooking.

If you use it directly on the plants, the alkalinity can easily be gone after a good rainstorm.

[John S.]

There can be a problem with the chemicals in charcoal binders and starters which can remain in the ashes. It's not something I want to eat but I guess it's not a problem with ornamental plants.

[wrigglerman]

Charcoal, being alkaline, has an action like lime. I spread it thinly around the garden.

[Priswell]

Wood ashes create lye. If you dump a bunch of wood ashes near a plant and then water, the plant will likely die. The concentration is the problem. Any ashes of any kind must be distributed fairly thinly, whether in a compost pile or in the garden.