Ask Flora–Winter 2026
by Ask Flora–Winter 2026
January 27, 2026
Dear Flora,
We’ve accumulated a lot of wood ash over the winter. Can we add it to our garden soil or compost? I’ve heard conflicting advice on this.
Signed–Woody
Dear Woody,
I would caution you on using wood ash in your garden or compost pile. You would really need to have your soil tested to see if the pH is below 6.0 (meaning soil is moderately acidic). If your soil is acidic, adding wood ash can increase soil fertility by increasing the availability of phosphorus, calcium, and potassium, along with some micronutrients. Most Wyoming soils are naturally alkaline, so adding ash can quickly raise pH too high, harming plants. Most vegetables prefer a pH around 6.0–7.0 (The Old Farmer’s Almanac has a list of ideal soil pH levels for growing different types of plants–get the latest copy from the Big Piney Library or https://www.almanac.com/plant-ph). Ideal pH allows plants to absorb nutrients from the soil to produce healthy plants with better production. Moderation is the key–you can add small amounts of wood ash to your compost pile or into garden soil in the winter or early spring into moist soil. At most, a five gallon pail of ash can be spread over 1,000 square feet per year, but always check the pH of your soil first. You don’t want to risk ruining the soil conditions in your garden. Soil testing information can be obtained from Colorado State University Soil, Water, and Plant Testing Laboratory. Go to their website for pricing and instructions on how to submit soil samples for testing–
https://agsci.colostate.edu/soiltestinglab/soil-water-plant-testing-laboratory/soil-sampling/
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Dear Flora,
I recently moved to Sublette County and am hoping to start a garden here in the spring. Do you have any special considerations for growing plants in Sublette County that you can share with me?
Sincerely—Hope For Spring
Dear Hope,
There are many considerations for growing in a short season like we have here in Sublette County. Here are just a few of the most important:
- Start small and focus on growing veggies that really do well in a cool climate–try spinach, lettuce, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, peas, radishes, beets, onions, garlic. We generally have 50-75 frost-free days in the summer for growing. Look for varieties that mature quickly and don’t mind a bit of frost.
- Warm up that soil by using raised beds, row covers, or other types of season extenders. Raising the soil allows the sun to warm the growing area more quickly, which means your roots will be warmer and allow the plant to grow more easily. Row covers can heat the soil and protect your plants from the wind.
- Don’t underestimate the wildlife that would like to enjoy your harvest! Deer, moose, rabbits, voles, gophers–can all wreck havoc on your garden. Fencing, raised beds with hardware cloth underneath & protective hoops over the top, lick tubs or planter gardens are all ways to deter unwanted guests.
- Learn about gardening from other gardeners here by joining the Sage and Snow Garden Club. Members are generous in sharing information, answering questions, and always striving to improve their knowledge about growing in our climate.
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Dear Flora,
I would love to learn more about gardening in Sublette County. Does the garden club have any upcoming activities?
Ever Grateful,
Sage Snow
Dear Sage,
You are in luck! "Gardening Goes Underground" is an upcoming class taught by Arlinda McLaughlin, Master Gardener, on Saturday, March 7th from 9AM–12Noon at Sublette BOCES. Learn all about growing root vegetables in Sublette County.
The Sage and Snow Garden Club welcomes gardeners, from novice to expert, to join our club to learn more about successful techniques and plants that grow in Sublette County. We just hosted our annual business meeting and are working on our updated 2026 schedule for gardening events.
For more information, to ask questions for our next Ask Flora column, or to join the club—go to our website at https://www.sageandsnowgardenclub.org/ or contact Arlinda McLaughlin, Master Gardener at 307-231-9402.
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