wood ash - Pampas2Palms

I sprinkled wood ash around my lettuce to keep the slugs away: after the first rain shower, I understood why my young plants were burning instead

July 17, 2026 by Matthew L.

Wood ash repels slugs effectively, but rain transforms it into a caustic solution that scorches tender lettuce leaves. Learn the chemistry behind this common gardening mistake and how to apply ash safely without destroying your greens.

Why Fireplace Ashes Are Killing Your Blueberries: A Gardener’s 15-Year Discovery

March 2, 2026February 18, 2026 by Matthew L.

For fifteen years, a gardener unknowingly sabotaged their blueberry bushes with fireplace ashes. While tomatoes thrived, acid-loving plants withered as the ash’s alkaline nature locked away essential nutrients. Understanding wood ash chemistry reveals which plants benefit and which suffer.