The cheapest way to fertilize your garden is by using natural materials that are readily available, such as wood ash or sawdust. These materials not only provide essential nutrients for your plants but also help improve the overall health of the soil. Let’s explore how you can use wood ash and sawdust as fertilizer in your garden.
1. Wood ash as fertilizer:
Wood ash is a valuable source of nutrients, particularly calcium and potassium. It also contains smaller amounts of phosphorus, magnesium, and trace elements. To use wood ash as fertilizer, follow these steps:
A. Collect wood ash: After burning wood in your fireplace or wood stove, collect the ash and store it in a dry container. Avoid using ash from treated wood or wood that has been painted or stained, as these may contain harmful chemicals.
B. Test soil pH: Before applying wood ash, it’s important to know the pH level of your soil. Wood ash has an alkaline pH, so it’s beneficial for acidic soils. However, if your soil is already alkaline or neutral, excessive use of wood ash can raise the pH too much.
C. Apply wood ash: Sprinkle a thin layer of wood ash over the soil surface and gently work it into the top few inches of soil. Avoid applying it directly to plant leaves as it can cause damage. It’s best to apply wood ash in moderation, as excessive use can lead to nutrient imbalances.
2. Sawdust as fertilizer:
Sawdust is a byproduct of woodworking and can be used as a fertilizer to improve soil structure and increase organic matter content. Here’s how you can use sawdust effectively:
A. Composting sawdust: Sawdust is high in carbon and low in nitrogen, which means it decomposes slowly. To speed up decomposition and make it more beneficial as a fertilizer, mix sawdust with nitrogen-rich materials like grass clippings or kitchen scraps in a compost pile. Ensure the compost pile is properly managed with the right balance of carbon and nitrogen.
B. Applying sawdust directly: If you don’t have a compost pile, you can still use sawdust as a mulch or soil amendment. However, it’s important to note that fresh sawdust can tie up nitrogen in the soil as it decomposes. To prevent nitrogen depletion, mix the sawdust with a nitrogen source like blood meal or compost before applying it to the garden.
C. Using aged sawdust: Sawdust that has been allowed to age for several months or more is less likely to cause nitrogen deficiency. Aged sawdust can be spread around plants as a mulch or worked into the soil to improve its structure and water-holding capacity.
Using wood ash or sawdust as fertilizer is an affordable and eco-friendly way to nourish your garden. Wood ash provides calcium and potassium while helping to raise soil pH for optimal plant growth. Sawdust, when composted or aged properly, can improve soil structure and increase organic matter content. So, give these natural fertilizers a try and watch your garden thrive!
