Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: Kleftiwallah on June 19, 2014, 11:54

Title: Fag ash in my soil!
Post by: Kleftiwallah on June 19, 2014, 11:54

I keep digging up a substance that has the appearance and consistency of cigaret ash from just beneath the surface of my soil.  What is it and is it godd, bad or so-so?

Cheers everyone.  Tony.

Title: Re: Fag ash in my soil!
Post by: New shoot on June 19, 2014, 12:42

Are you sure its not wood ash  :unsure:  The previous owners would have had to be chain smoking 24/7 to generate that much ash and if people have been emptying ashtrays, you would find filters as well.

Try putting some in water to steep and see what it smells like.  If you can smell fags, I would think you would need to be careful about growing veg in it.  If you smell wood ash or it has weathered enough not to smell at all,  would reckon its safe enough, but that's just my view  :)

Title: Re: Fag ash in my soil!
Post by: Kleftiwallah on June 19, 2014, 12:47

Tis neither wood ash or cigaret ash, I'm quite familiar with both.  It also has a slight fibrous look to it although very faint.

Cheers,   Tony.

Title: Re: Fag ash in my soil!
Post by: mumofstig on June 19, 2014, 12:51

I think it is some kind of soil fungus, I've noticed a lot of it this year - it probably enjoyed the wet winter.
If I turn it onto the surface it just disappears.

Doesn't seem to stop things growing ............

Title: Re: Fag ash in my soil!
Post by: mumofstig on June 19, 2014, 13:35

The fungus I find looks like the one here, about halfway down the page...........
http://www.sustainablegardener.org/the-living-soil/

Title: Re: Fag ash in my soil!
Post by: Goosegirl on June 19, 2014, 13:57

Is it from previously-applied mushroom compost or do you know if mushroooms have grown therre before? It does sound like some sort of fungi mycelium.

Title: Re: Fag ash in my soil!
Post by: JayG on June 19, 2014, 14:17

Agree with Mum - actually saw some today whilst digging up some spuds (fag ash wouldn't survive even a light splash of rain.)

Title: Re: Fag ash in my soil!
Post by: 8doubles on June 19, 2014, 16:04

Was there a privet hedge there in the past ? Often the fungus is symbiotic ( big word of the day  :)) with a particular plant.

Title: Re: Fag ash in my soil!
Post by: Aunt Sally on June 19, 2014, 16:21

Quote from: mumofstig on June 19, 2014, 12:51

I think it is some kind of soil fungus, I've noticed a lot of it this year - it probably enjoyed the wet winter.
If I turn it onto the surface it just disappears.

Doesn't seem to stop things growing ............

Just what I was thinking too :D

Title: Re: Fag ash in my soil!
Post by: fatcat1955 on June 19, 2014, 22:25

Probably :lol: grown Tobacco plants there before

Title: Re: Fag ash in my soil!
Post by: Kleftiwallah on June 20, 2014, 14:30

I'm sure it is another success for mumofstig.  The photo is exactly wehat it looks like.

Cheers,  one and all and to mumofstig.

Cheers,   Tony.