Ash is very alkaline... good for some plants, but horrible for others. Overall, it is NOT a GOOD fertilizer, you're better off using other commericially available fertilizers if you're having trouble with things growing in you're garden.
If you're trying to grow blueberries, you'll kill them with ash. Other stuff, like Okra, couldn't care less... but here okra grows like a weed.
Like you, I hate throwing anything out. I even shred and burn my junk mail as a fireplace starter (works well, btw)... but seriously, you've gotta let the ash go, it's trash. If it makes you feel better, the landfill isn't trying to grow vegetables.
If your town incinerates it's trash though, it would be funny to see the look on the fellas face who has to shovel ash into an incinerator. ;-)
Jason Kelly Valley Center, KS