Is it snowing?
Snow is called “the poor man’s fertilizer”. There is a small amount of atmospheric nitrogen and sulfur in the air and these chemicals become attached to the falling snowflakes. The nitrogen is released when this snow melts. Nitrogen is what causes leaves to be lush and green, and if ground is warm enough the nitrogen can get absorbed. More on how the Nitrogen cycle works, here.
making snowmen?
January is here, with eyes that keenly glow,
A frost-mailed warrior
striding a shadowy steed of snow.
-Edgar Fawcett
About Wood Ash in the Garden
Ash is also a good source of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and aluminum. In terms of commercial fertilizer, average wood ash would probably be about 0-1-3 (N-P-K).
In addition to these macronutrients, wood ash is also a good source of many micronutrients that are needed in trace amounts for adequate plant growth.
Wood ash contains few elements that pose environmental problems. Heavy metal concentrations are typically low and not in a highly extractable or available form.”
Learn more
About wood ash
2. The safe rate of wood ash application to lawn or gardens is 15 to 20 lbs. (7 to 9 kg) per 1000 square feet (93 square meters) per year, which is approximately a 5 gallon (19 l) pail.
3. Remember, a little wood ash is beneficial, but a lot is not because increasing the alkalinity of the soil does affect plant nutrition. Nutrients are most readily available to plants when the soil is slightly acidic. As soil alkalinity increases and the pH rises above 7.0, nutrients such as phosphorus, iron, boron, manganese, copper, zinc and potassium become chemically tied to the soil and less available for plant use.
4. Wood ash does have some fertilizer value, the amount varying somewhat with the species of wood being used. Generally, wood ash contains less than 10 percent potash, 1 percent phosphate and trace amounts of micro-nutrients such as iron, manganese, boron, copper and zinc.
5. Trace amounts of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, nickel and chromium also may be present. Wood ash does not contain nitrogen.
6. Applying small amounts of wood ash to most soils will not adversely affect your garden crops, and the ash does help replenish some nutrients. But because wood ash increases soil pH, adding large amounts can do more harm than good.
7. Crop tolerance to alkaline soil also should be considered. Some plants, such as asparagus and juniper, are more tolerant of slightly alkaline conditions than “acid-loving” plants, such as potatoes, rhododendrons and blueberries. Wood ash should never be used on acid-loving plants.
8. The best thing with wood ash is to use it sparingly, and test your soil pH regularly to make sure you are not causing any problems.
Garden Catalogs I Recommend
Click My Favorite Catalogs
I have been a long time customer of Wayside. Many of my best loved plants came after I had pored over their beautiful catalogs. I am privileged to be an affiliate now. I can recommend their high quality plants because I bought so many over the years!
White Flower Farm
Usually, I have been very pleased with orders from WWF. They have good combination offers. I do not have any affiliation with their company.
Bluestone Perennials delivered fine plants at a reasonable cost. I do not have any affiliation with their company.
bluestone catalog picture
Bluestone Perennials[/caption]
See my page on rating the best catalogs and deciphering their information.
Cold Climates Have Snowfall!
Link to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.
Heavy snow can be too much for evergreen branches – brush the snow off with a broom.
Remember to feed your bird friends.Salt to melt snow harms plants, try to keep it from being spread into planted areas. After the snow melts, use your garden hose to flush the area around the roots. Consider using calcium chloride products instead of sodium chloride.
Winter Flower Garden
Check perennials after January thaws, they may have heaved out of the ground; heel them in with your foot or a tool. Mulch helps diminish this problem.
I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure in the landscape . . .Andrew Wyeth (1917- 2009 ) quoted by Richard Meryman in The Art of Andrew Wyeth, 1973
Now is a good time to plan the coming season, see if your garden has the “bones” of good structure, make your catalog lists, make a plan to follow… be an armchair gardener this month.
Many winter garden tips, and winter thoughts to enjoy.
“Plant carrots in January and you’ll never have to eat carrots. ~Author Unknown”
Recycle your discarded live Christmas tree: cut the branches and protect garden beds.
Check plants for rodent, rabbit and deer injury.
Paperwhites Indoors
Plant Paperwhites. Buy 6 or more, and then plant 2 bulbs at a time, 2 weeks apart. Beautiful flowers during winter months.
