First post on this thread and looking forward to the spring!
Question about ashes in a garden. We cleared out the old garden area, a 40 x 70’ space that was last used 20 years ago.
There’s a good sized burn pile in the middle of it consisting of mountain grape vines, honeysuckle and several small locust trees.
Is it OK to burn in place then spread the ashes and till them into the soil?
Welcome. Well, a certain number of ashes is good, but it can be overdone. Others on the thread are more savy in this regard than I am.
I do it every year Rebelbase, now that I have a pellet boiler I spread that ash around the garden too especially around my blueberries.
The main thing is move it around year to year and obviously make sure they are totally out before spreading.
Yes, you can spread the ashes and till them into the garden , but after you do so, run a soil test.
However (!) , I would pull out the locust trees to use them elsewhere in the garden as poles, stakes, or fence posts.
They are remarkably impervious to rot, and depending on their diameter, should last several seasons.
Whereas Walnuts exude julgone as a natural herbicide to prevent competition, Locust trees increase the soil acidity to prevent undergrowth and plant competition.
Sparky1776 was right to apply the ashes around acidic loving plants (blueberries / azailaes/ Rhododendrons, etc. ).
That is why I would suggest a soil test after burning so as to determine soil akalinity/ acidity,
as well as determining what micronutrients amendments the soil might need to grow a successful garden.
Question: Do you happen to know if these locusts are Black locust , or Honey locust trees ?
Have you seen flowers on mature limbs?(locust trees are either male, or female). Locust tree honey is a prized light amber with a fragerant aroma, and will attract bees.
Generally , ashes will increase the pH of the soil, increase the avaliable calcium , but in large quantities also contributes salts (detrimental) in the soil.
That is why I suggest after the burn, to do a soil test. You and your garden would benefit from the soil test, anyway.