By Lecky7777
United Kingdom 
Hello there all! Thanks for the response to my previous question, I found it very helpful. Another question that you may be able to help me with: We have a woodburning stove and were wondering, can we use the ash from the fire on our soil in the vegetable patch. I've heard that wood ash is very alkaline. We live in Lancashire and I've no idea if the soil is acidic or alkaline.
13 Mar, 2010
Answers
Some ash worked into the soil will be helpful, but, as always, too much won't. I have and area where I dump a lot, and it kills whatever is there: nettles, wandering jew, mint. After it is diluted, the weeds start to grow again. So work some into the ground ( it is also supposed to help peas germinate ), but don't overdo it.
13 Mar, 2010
You can also add to your compost bin if it is purely wood ash.
13 Mar, 2010
Hi, thanks for your answers all. Moon Grower, I have read that putting wood ash into my compost bin will harm it. You think it ok to do this? The ash is pure wood ash from softwood and seasoned hardwood.
13 Mar, 2010
We put a shallow layer in every so often, and mix it in well. We haven't had any problems with it at all, and we burn mostly ash, too.
13 Mar, 2010
As long as it isn't "treated timber" a little every now and then will do the resulting compost the world of good.
13 Mar, 2010
Thank you very much, once again all!
Lecky7777
14 Mar, 2010
its supposed to be good for the onion family lecky.
13 Mar, 2010