The Department of Soil, Water, and Cliimate at University of Minnesota have printed an article on how corn ash performs when used as fertilizer in the garden. You can read it here: Evaluation of Corn Ash as a Nutrient Source for Gardens

I know it works, proof is in my garden this year. Here's a picture for you

I like the look of chipped bark used as mulch on my garden beds, but right now I just can’t afford it.    So I use grass clippings.  This is good for the soil, it keeps the weeds down, and makes my neighbors happy too!  ( They’re not happy because I’m using grass as mulch)

My neighbors like to de-thatch their lawns in early spring.  They also pick up their grass clippings every time they mow.  We offered a place for them to put all those grass clippings in the back of our lot.  So they bring me all kinds of it.  That’s why their happy.  I’m happy because I didn’t have to spend any of my tight budget on mulch this year, and I don’t have to worry about the weeds either.  So it works out for everyone.