Potash (potassium carbonate) - Potassium is widely distributed in nature, occurring in rocks, soils, animal and plant tissue, and the water in seas and lakes. In gardening practice, materials such as wood ashes, tobacco stems, seaweed, potash salts, greensand, and ground rock potash are used alone, in combination with materials yielding other nutrients, mixed with manure, or used in compost piles. Because the potash-bearing materials vary so much in composition and rate of decomposition, specific application rates must be determined for each material and its combinations. In general, ground rock potash at 5 pounds per 100 square feet may be broadcast over the soil surface three weeks prior to planting and spaded in.

Browse related Faqs by tag: horticulture, soil fertility, organic gardening, vegetable gardens