[USCC] Is Coal Ash in Soil a Good Idea?

[John Cossham]

I am astounded that coal ash is used in this way in the good  ol' US of A!

In the UK, composters and gardeners are routinely informed that coal ash 
(from domestic hearths) contains metals and other toxins which should be 
kept out of the food chain.  Over here, fly ash is used to add to cement to 
make building blocks, which I think is an acceptable use, as it keeps it out 
of landfill and replaces aggregate extraction, with all of the associated 
CO2 emissions and environmental degredation.

However, wood ash, from natural untreated timber, is acceptable to put on 
soils or in compost piles, despite it's very soluble nature.  Infact, 
putting wood ash around apple trees in the spring can reduce the levels of 
'bitter pit', a condition where small areas of brown flesh appear within the 
fruit.  Avoid putting wood ash around acid-loving plants such as blueberries 
or azealias, as it is alkaline.
John, York, UK

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lowell Prag" <lprag at mail.msen.com>
To: <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 8:59 PM
Subject: [USCC] Is Coal Ash in Soil a Good Idea?


> Greetings,
>
> Very informative article:
>
> Is Coal Ash in Soil a Good Idea?
>
> http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=coal-ash-in-soil
>
> Regards,
>
> Lowell Prag
>
>
>
>