Plant Care Tips After Ash Fall
We hope everyone is safe.
It’s been a week since Taal volcano spewed thick plumes of ash and caught us all in shock. Even though several days have passed, the presence of the ash in the air is still evident. While this poses health risk to people, it is unsafe for our plants too!
This volcanic ash, just like any dust, should be shaken off the leaves of our plants in the garden or indoor. This is because it impedes the plant from getting enough sunlight. If not dusted off, it could lead to our greeneries to wither. This is another reminder: it is more advisable to shake off or dust the ash off the leaves first before watering them.
On the other hand, did you know that volcanic ash and rock dust could be used as fertilizer?
Yes! Volcanic ash and rock dust contain minerals that are good for the soil and therefore, the plants. However, take note that you cannot put fresh ash directly to the pot soil. Doing so would do no good. The ash has to be weathered first, and it takes time. What to do is to pick an open spot and dump the ash there with a pile of soil. Let the weather do its job. After some time, you will notice change in color and moisture. A good sign is when you see tiny grass sprouting! By then, you can mix the soil with that in your pots.
As much as we are trying to avoid the bad effects of volcanic ash to our health, we can’t shrug off what’s here and better make use of it instead. If it’s for the benefits of our plants, why not?
