Coffee with Moe - Spring_2023

HAULING ASH
Nothing beats an evening spent
sitting in front of a warm crackling
fire.
The hours slip by, as the hypnotic
rhythm of fire’s flickering flames
dance us through a potential mix of
music, conversations, thoughts and a
magical passing of time.
While fire is definitely the thing we
show up for, the remaining ash has its
own reasons to shine.
Ashes aren’t just a known waste
product of fire, they are chock-full of
potential uses and benefits.
To start, ash boasts a make- up of
potassium, phosphorus, calcium,
magnesium, plus a variety of other
trace minerals and a whole whack of
potential.
My favourite use for wood ash is as
an alternative to spreading salt on
ice, here are a few reasons why:
1. Ash is pet safe. Many road and
sidewalk salts/ice melts are
considered toxic to pets.
2. Ash is non- corrosive. Salt may
cause slow damage to your
sidewalks, footwear and more.
3. Ash works well as a salt
alternative because it’s
naturally gritty, and the darker
tone works with the sun to
create slip resistant pits in ice
that won’t damage the surface
below.
4. Ash can also be beneficial to
your plants.
Let’s dig into that last point a little
more shall we?
Ash is truly a gardeners friend and
saving your favourite perennial from
an over-salted wintery doom might
not even be your favourite thing
that ash can do. While ash is NOT
recommended around blueberries
and other acidic soil loving plants
due to it’s high ph of 9-10, there
are plenty of ways ash makes itself
beneficial to collect after your next
fire.
A. Ash deters slugs and snails
B. The Phosphorous in ash can
help plants develop a strong
root system and assists in the
flowering and fruiting of trees
C. Its calcium content helps
tomato plants thrive
D. It helps neutralize unwanted
soil acidity
E. Ash is attractive to earth
worms (think an increase of...