We woke up one morning last week to a coating of ice on everything from a freezing rain just before dawn. I went out to the big barn, just 40 feet or so from the house, but found myself sliding down the iced-over pavement back towards the house. Time for ... ash!
Yes, for conditions like this, we do what the old-timers did -- sprinkle wood ashes for traction. Safe, chemical free and well, completely free -- our wood boiler produces plenty of ashes all winter long -- we've found ashes are indispensible when ice becomes treacherous.
We do wear cleats, too, for navigating outside while doing chores, but if you just want to get between buildings, or bring dogs in from the yards, you don't want to have to put cleats on every time you step in and out of the house. (Those cleats are just a little hard on the floors!)
So we keep buckets of ash by the doors for spreading pathways as necessary. After taking that photo above, I clawed my way back the house, picked up the ash bucket, and started spreading my way to the barn. Here's what it looked like:
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My grandparents and also my parents used to do that, way back in the old times (1970s and 1980s, hehe), although I had forgotten until I saw your post. The wood chips or sawdust which accumulate when chopping or sawing wood for the fireplace are also good for this, and less dirty. Both are definitely a lot better for a dog's paws than chemical melt. That is quite a skating rink you have there!
Posted by: Tonya Allen | February 05, 2013 at 06:11 PM
Ring around a rosie,
a pocket full of snowsie,
Ashes, ashes,
No one falls down!
Posted by: JK | February 05, 2013 at 05:33 PM
I remember when I was small and we lived in the country and people used ashes like this.
I hope no RDF dog enjoys rolling in the ashes!
Posted by: Philippa | February 05, 2013 at 03:03 PM
Amazing all the work it takes to running this type of non-profit.
Voting everyday for the Challenge.
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | February 05, 2013 at 01:48 PM
Again, another interesting post. I really look forward to these kinds of posts as they really give a wonderful view of how the farm works. I would never have thought of ash to put over ice. I learn something new all the time!
Posted by: Ann | February 05, 2013 at 02:52 AM
When I worked in barns with horses, I also found that the pine shavings for their stalls worked the same wonders on ice. It sticks really well, cleans up when everything finally melts, and doesn't wreak havoc on the environment. Great stuff.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | February 04, 2013 at 04:37 PM
Surely the dogs have cleats as well!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | February 04, 2013 at 01:26 PM