Wood ash is particularly useful if you use lots of cattle manure in … Calcium carbonate has a ph … Figure 3. The main benefit of wood ash in the soil is to raise the soil pH, or make it less acid. Again, remember that there are big differences in how well wood ashes increase soil pH. Bob in Wardensville wants to know how to use his huge store of wood ashes in the garden. Wood ash for agricultural purpose has a calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) component, which varies from 25-59 percent (Bulletin #2279, Using Wood Ash on Your Farm). Do not use wood ash if the soil pH is 7.0 or higher, as the addition of wood ash further increases the soil pH. Wood ash from a campfire Composition Variability in assessment. Wood Ash Application Rate, g kg-1 soil. Using this method, wood ash CCE ranged from 14 to 56 percent. Effect of wood ash application rate on soil pH. Field trials show a more rapid change in soil pH when wood ash is used as a liming material compared to using limestone. Soil pH is a measure of acidity on a 14 point scale, with 7 being neutral. Most vegetables need a pH of 6.5 to 7.0, so if your soil’s below 6.5 sprinkle wood ash over the surface then rake or fork it in. Always use caution when choosing to implement wood ash in the garden landscape. Wood ash is the powdery residue remaining after the combustion of wood, such as burning wood in a fireplace, bonfire, or an industrial power plant. However, where club root is present, wood ash can be used to raise the pH to as much as 7.5 to inhibit this disease. Most our northeast soils tend to be acidic, often 5.5 to 7. wood ash is used. Wood ash may contain useful levels of potassium (about three percent), a major plant nutrient associated with flowering and fruiting. Data from Ohno and Erich, 1990. Test your soil using an inexpensive test kit if you don’t already know its pH. Gardeners traditionally use it as a good source of potash to ameliorate soil. This factor may be advantageous for a farmer who plans to seed an acid-sensitive crop such as alfalfa soon after liming an acid soil. When your soil pH has reached 6.5 to 7.0, stop adding wood ash. Application of 10 g kg-1 soil is approximately 11 tons ash/acre. Below 7 is acid, and above is alkaline. Slightly acidic is ideal for many plants, as this is the range in which most nutrients are available to them. Wood ash do’s and don’ts. Liming material quality The quality of agricultural lime is determined by