will ash wood shavings help loam clay soil?

Question

I want to dump large bags of ash wood chips from my friend’s wood shop on to my clay soil veggie garden. Will this help make the soil more loamy next year?

Answer 1

The research shows you should allow fresh wood chips 1 year to sit before using in the garden beds as mulch.
The wood chips are very acidic (a ph down around 4), and borrow nitrogen from the soil while it decomposes.
Both of these issues can be a problem for the growing plants.

Compost the wood chips and turn the pile a few times a year.

I would suggest using other organic material to amend the soil.

Here is a few links for you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/what-is-organic-material.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/vegetable-garden-soil.htm