Fireplace ash is plentiful in the spring, especially if you relied upon your fireplace to provide the bulk of your winter heating during the harsh winter months. The biggest conundrum for homeowners tasked with cleaning out the fireplace is determining what to do with that ash. While you can throw it out with the rest of your garbage, you can also put that ash to good use. That’s right. Fireplace ashes contain high levels of potassium and calcium. Both compounds are essential to the vitality and vigor of your ornamental and food producing plants and as long as you chose to burn only non-pressure treated wood in your fireplace, you have one of the best natural fertilizers and acidic soil neutralizers you can find.

There is really no additional preparation you need to perform in order to incorporate fireplace ash into your flowerbeds or vegetable gardens. Simply sprinkle 1 quart of ash onto approximately 100 square feet of soil in a flowerbed and up to two quarts per 100 square feet of vegetable garden space and turn. Plant your flowers or vegetables as normal.

Another use for used fireplace ash is to use them on icy walkways to add traction. During a time when many people spend hundreds of dollars on deicer and salt to melt the ice, this free by-product of your home’s alternative heat source will provide you with plenty of safe walkways without contaminating the groundwater or poisoning the local wildlife that end up lapping it up in the spring. You get the added benefit of lawn fertilization in the spring when the ash dries and is spread over your grass by the wind.

Regardless of whether you have a little ash or a lot, it makes sense to recycle fireplace ash either by storing it in a container for next winter’s walkways or by throwing some into your backyard gardens. Not only will you save money but you will take comfort in knowing that you are doing your part for the environment.

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