Since Roman times, wood ash has been recognized as a useful amendment to the soil. In fact, North America exported wood ash to Britain in the 18th century as a fertilizer, and today, 80 per-cent of the ash produced commercially in the Northeastern United States is applied to the land.

Wood stoves and fireplaces are great for warming gardeners’ chilly hands and feet. So, what can we do with the ashes? Since wood ash is derived from plant material, it contains most of the 13 essential nutrients the soil must have for good plant growth and health.

When wood burns, nitrogen and sulfur are lost as gases, and calcium, potassium, magnesium and trace element compounds remain. The remaining carbonates and oxides are valuable liming agents, raising pH, thus neutralizing acid soils. Soils that are acid and low in potassium benefit from wood ash. However, acid-loving plants such as blueberries, cranberries, rhododendrons and azaleas would not do well at all with an application of wood ash.

Source: Answerbag.com

A fireplace damper my go unnoticed by most homeowners, but it is an integral part of the operation of any home fireplace.

The fireplace damper is usually located above the actual fireplace in the throat of the chimney just above the firebox. The function of the damper is to seal the fireplace when not in use. This is important because without a proper seal, heated air from your home will escape right up the chimney. From a home efficiency standpoint, air escaping up the chimney is like throwing money out the window. An open or leaky damper can add hundreds to the cost of heating your home in the winter.

The majority of home fireplace dampers are made of metal. Properly functioning dampers should form a seal which should allow for no air to seep through. As a fireplace ages however, the metal plates that form the damper oftentimes become warped due to the effects of heat and moisture. As the seal worsens, more and more air can escape up the chimney - even if the damper is closed.

If your fireplace is more than 20 years old, it is suggested that you hire a professional to check your damper to determine its efficiency in keeping warm air in and cold air out. If the damper is not operating correctly, a new damper will save money for many years, making the investment pay off handsomely.