With record cold gripping much of North America this winter, many people find themselves with an abundance of fireplace ashes. And they might be wondering whether they can use them in the garden. Wood ashes from burned untreated wood can be beneficial for your plants — but with a few caveats. Ashes contain helpful nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. They also raise soil pH, making it more alkaline. That could be good or bad depending on your soil and what you're aiming to grow. Another thing to keep in mind is whether the soil can absorb what the wood contains. Avoid using ashes from treated wood or from trees grown in polluted areas.
