QUESTION: I have heard that ashes from my wood stove are not good for my soil. In the Eastern United States I would put wood ash on my garden. I have put some out this winter - will they help or hurt my garden?

ANSWER: Wood ash is a source of phosphorus and potassium which are essential plant nutrients. The second and third numbers on a fertilizer bag indicates the percentage of P2O5 and K2O in the bag. Our desert soils usually have adequate native amounts of potassium but need additional phosphorus. Another reason wood ashes are placed in the soil is to increase the pH of the soil. Wood ash has pH's in the range of 8 to 12 depending on the tree species and are usually twice as potent as lime for lowering soil pH. In the East, because of higher precipitation amounts, soils are naturally acid; pH is below neutral 7. Ideal garden soil pH is 6.8 or nearly neutral. Our desert soils generally have a pH range from 7.5 to 8.5. We want to acidify our soils rather than try to make them more alkaline. Therefore, wood ash is not recommended as a soil amendment in the arid West.

A small amount of wood ash that has been placed in the garden will probably not hurt the soil and crops to be grown there, but DO NOT apply wood ash in the future.

QUESTION: Some of my apple trees are showing a few flowers and leaves. Is this normal? If not, what can I do about it?

ANSWER: This is not normal. Because of our unusually warm winter weather the chilling requirements to complete winter rest have been completed and heat units for bud break are further along than normal. The leaf and flower buds that have broken and are beginning to grow will be frozen back because we have cool weather ahead of us. These few blossoms will not adversely affect this year's crop. There is nothing that you can do about fruit flowers that have bloomed this early that is cost effective. They just have their seasons mixed up!