Rick...
I truly do not know the answer. I, too, have read about how plant life returned after a volcanic event. That's why I was so surprised to see nothing.
My best guess is that it has to be something different in wood ash vs. volcanic ash. I know that when I started heating my home with wood, I was told to be very careful about how I disposed of the ashes, because an ash pile will kill the soil, and if water runs down slope from the pile, the soil would also be killed.
Of course, I had to experiment. I am not a scientist, but I am ever curious.
At the very top of my property, in a flat corner where I had no plans to plant anything, I dumped a couple of cans of wood ash about nine years ago. Nothing has growth there since I placed the ashes there.
I am kind of hoping someone who knows more about soil can provide better information.
Lyn
