Ash is actually alkaline. In areas with high alkaline content in the soil (like Nevada), adding wood ash would be detrimental. In Northern California, the soil is acidic so adding some wood ash would be helpful. In Southern California, the soil is already alkaline so adding wood ash would be a problem.
Like California, Florida soil is acidic or alkaline, depending upon where you are. The pine woods have acidic soil but the southern coastal areas are build on limestone. You've never shared where in Florida you live and its a big state but, if you were told not to add wood ash, I suspect you live in an alkaline soil part of the state.
Here is the article I read a couple days ago:
http://articles.latimes.com/20...
