[Wood-ashes under the trees] staples, nails & garbage question

[Michael Uplawski]

Supersedes for Kraut2English

Good evening

As the proud owner of a wood stove >1, there is a certain amount of wood ash
that I have to handle.

Until now, I filtered the ash to eliminate anything looking odd and
as well the staples that keep together crates for fruit: I work at a
place where worn out crates are piling up and they are quite
efficient in our wood stove, in the morning.

The ashes, together with that of oak- and ash wood then go either
– in small volumes – into the compost or I scatter it under the trees
and bushes of our hedges.

My question is: Do you think I could just quit filtering the
ashes? The staples should rust and decay. But I cannot estimate an
amount of metal or its oxides that the soil can condone.

I know people who do not care, and never hesitated to use the ashes
in their vegetable garden and elsewhere, directly as they retrieved
it from their stoves.

Having composed this article with the help of a German-English
dictionary, I wonder now, if it was worth the effort. ;) You will
tell me.

Cheerio
----------------
1) meaning we emit the same CO2 that our trees had the time to
accumulate during their life time, not the one that you dig
out from the depths of coalmines or oil wells – not the topic
of this post

[David E. Ross]

Post by Michael Uplawski
Supersedes for Kraut2English
Good evening
As the proud owner of a wood stove >1, there is a certain amount of wood ash
that I have to handle.
Until now, I filtered the ash to eliminate anything looking odd and
as well the staples that keep together crates for fruit: I work at a
place where worn out crates are piling up and they are quite
efficient in our wood stove, in the morning.
The ashes, together with that of oak- and ash wood then go either
– in small volumes – into the compost or I scatter it under the trees
and bushes of our hedges.
My question is: Do you think I could just quit filtering the
ashes? The staples should rust and decay. But I cannot estimate an
amount of metal or its oxides that the soil can condone.
I know people who do not care, and never hesitated to use the ashes
in their vegetable garden and elsewhere, directly as they retrieved
it from their stoves.
Having composed this article with the help of a German-English
dictionary, I wonder now, if it was worth the effort. ;) You will
tell me.
Cheerio
----------------
1) meaning we emit the same CO2 that our trees had the time to
accumulate during their life time, not the one that you dig
out from the depths of coalmines or oil wells – not the topic
of this post

Regarding nails and staples, I would only be concerned about injuring
myself while digging or kneeling in my garden. However, I cannot put
ashes in my own garden since the soils (and water) here tend to be
alkaline; ashes are suitable only where soils are acidic. I often add
sulfur when planting something.

[Michael Uplawski]

Good morning and thank you David …

Post by David E. Ross
Regarding nails and staples, I would only be concerned about injuring
myself while digging or kneeling in my garden. However, I cannot put
ashes in my own garden since the soils (and water) here tend to be
alkaline; ashes are suitable only where soils are acidic. I often add
sulfur when planting something.

I forgot to mention that, indeed, our soils are of rather low pH.
Now that I read it, this detail is probably important.

That wood ashes did a lot to change the pH value, I would not say,
but at least they to not contribute to the problem. In no case they
replace calcium-oxide in whichever form you prefer.

Cheerio