From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Vermont

I was just wondering if it is wise to burn brush on your pumpkin patch. I burn on mine yearly and spread the pot ash out in the spring. I was wondering if it was a bad thing to burn a 80 ft. spruce tree in patch. I don't use any gas or paper, just a blow torch. Is this a smart move. I am i burning a wood that is suitable for my pumpkin patch. Please tell me if I am doing the right thing becuase I would like to grow one over 600lbs. next year for the Eastern States Expo. Also - is Maple a good wood to burn? Please Respond

2/1/2002 9:07:59 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

The heat build up from burning such a huge tree would kill your living organsim and microbes in the soil and that amount of ash could raise your ph and potash levels into an area not in the optimum range for growing pumpkins. So I dont believe it is a "Good Thing". Shannon

2/1/2002 9:42:35 AM

Pulaski Tn [email protected]

Maple is a very good wood to burn.... if your making tennnessee moonshine whiskey!!!!

2/1/2002 10:30:51 AM

Cologne / Germany

Does anyone believe in ash or coffee mug as a fertilizer (or in addition) at the time when potassium should be stressed? If so, it would have to be measured (eg. x-x-45)not to overdo things.
Ingo

2/1/2002 11:10:35 AM

Roanoke Il

I would think it would be alright to burn the brush on your patch. Make sure you spread the ashes over the whole patch,Being in Vermont the ground is pretty frozen right now so I wouldn't worry about killing any microbes.There are not many ashes from the branches of and 80 foot spruce. I just got done burning 2 40 footers earlier in january. Watch out though the fire will be intense for about 20 mins. Thats about the time it took me to burn my spruces not counting the trunk. mark
P.S. Make sure you test your ph before you plant.

2/1/2002 1:31:10 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

Shannon is right, I also wouldn't burn anything on the patch. The fire can reach a very high temp and kill the micro-organisms. Even during the winter the organisms are living but at a slower pace. If you do want to use the ashes, I would burn them elsewhere then scatter the ashes on your patch....Tom

2/1/2002 8:24:15 PM