Climbing strawberries, trees that grow 15 feet in a year, and grass that never needs water just don't happen. England draws us with its benign climate, and perhaps some of us can breathe the air of the land of our ancestors. 29-Aug. 9, and takes in the gardens of private homes, as well as castles. For the gardener, tours are ideal. Forget about saving wood ashes from your fireplace to put on your garden soil.
Many newcomers are from areas where soil is short on the potassium found in wood ashes.
Our soils are short only on phosphorous, and sometimes iron, and then only because there is not enough organic matter to release these natural elements. Wood ashes are also very alkaline. Our soils are already alkaline. Save a little bucket of wood ashes to put out around the base of plants that are being damaged by slugs. That's the only use for them in this area.