FredL

Craig, wood ash can be sprinkled on the soil in moderation. It is very alkaline, so take it easy with it. It can't really be used as a soil conditioner.

Do not use ashes from coal. They will poison any plant life they come in contact with. I mistakenly put some in a vegetable bed and it took three years before the soil recovered from the effects of it.

Almost any kind of organic material will benefit your soil greatly. Materials like newspaper and heavy tree limbs take awhile to break down and some organic gardners avoid them in favor of materials like grass clippings and kitchen waste which decompose rapidly, but I use everything. There are many ways to compost such materials; I add them to the soil directly. Organic material is the universal answer to almost any soil problem. It will most assuradely benefit yours.

Regards, Fred