Wood ash is one of the most affordable fertilizers for the garden. It contains potassium, calcium, phosphorus and trace elements. For pepper, these elements are important: potassium affects the formation of fruits, calcium affects resistance to rot, phosphorus affects the development of roots. But ash is useful only if used correctly.
Let’s look at when and how to feed peppers in order to get strong bushes and not “overfeed” the plants.
Wood ash helps reduce soil acidity, improves its structure and, to a certain extent, inhibits the development of fungal diseases. At the same time, ash does not contain nitrogen, so it cannot completely replace complex fertilizers – it is used as a supplement to the basic nutrition of plants.
When to feed peppers with ash
Feeding with ash is usually carried out 3-4 times per season. It can be applied for the first time at the seedling stage, when the plants have 4–5 true leaves. If the peppers have been picked, fertilizing is done 7–10 days after transplantation, when the seedlings have already taken root. Then the ash is used after planting in the ground, when the bushes take root and begin to grow actively.
Another important feeding occurs at the beginning of fruiting and the period of fruit filling – at this time the plants especially need potassium. It is not worth using ash earlier, since young seedlings usually have enough nutrients from high-quality soil.
How to properly prepare ash infusion
For seedlings:
Pour 0.5 cups of sifted ash into 1 liter of hot water and let it brew until it cools, and then strain.
Watering rate:
- 1 tbsp. spoon – for 200 ml glasses;
- 2 tbsp. spoons – for a container of 500 ml;
- 3–4 tbsp. spoons – for a liter pot.
Water only when the soil is damp to avoid burning the roots.
Fertilizing in open ground and greenhouses
You can use two methods:
1. Dry application
Sprinkle about 1 cup of ash per 1 square meter. m, carefully embed into the soil and water.
2. Solution
500–700 g of ash per 10 liters of warm water. Let it brew, stir and pour about 200-300 ml under the bush.
Sometimes the ash is mixed with iodine. Iodine does have antiseptic properties and is involved in the metabolic processes of plants, but it is used in very small doses (usually 20–30 drops per 10 liters of water).
It is important to remember that excess iodine can damage plants. Therefore, such solutions are used rarely and strictly according to the norm.
It is better not to use ash on alkaline soils. Together with nitrogen fertilizers (for example, fresh manure or ammonium nitrate), this reduces efficiency. If applied in excess: an excess of potassium interferes with the absorption of magnesium.
Ash is a healthy and safe food for peppers if used in moderation. It strengthens the root system, stimulates flowering and improves fruit filling. It is important to observe the dosage and take into account the condition of the soil. In this case, the seedlings will be strong, and the bushes will be stable and prolific.
