Biochar

[rivahmom]

Has anyone ever used or made biochar for their gardens? *Hubby sent me an article from CNN that sparked my interest in it. *http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/03/30/biochar.warming.energy/index.html?section=cnn_latest
I think it would be worth experimenting with. *

http://biochar.pbwiki.com/
http://www.sylvangardens.com/biochar.html

[AlchemyAcres]

Yeah, I make biochar in a commonly available charcoal starting chimney.....


http://i42.tinypic.com/wk1r1x.jpg
$6-$10 Charcoal Starting chimney with the addition of a piece of hardware cloth on the bottom to contain small pieces of charcoal.
Pieces of wood should be of roughly the same thickness for even burning.



http://i42.tinypic.com/15nosqx.jpg
Fire is started at the top with newspaper and a bit of used cooking oil so the fire spreads across the top of the wood evenly.


http://i41.tinypic.com/2qk8nx2.jpg
Fire started.


http://i39.tinypic.com/11hgsjb.jpg
Beginning to gasify.


http://i41.tinypic.com/29m6u5u.jpg
Gasifying.


http://i40.tinypic.com/2sakrya.jpg
When the fire dies down, douse with water to complete the process. The charcoal is now done.



It's by far the easiest way to make 'char.

Because the combustion zone and greater part of the heat is above the material, you're assured low-temperature 'char.

I'd also argue that it's just as efficient as the indirect method if you consider the total amount of material used in both methods. Especially if you're mindful of technique. I've found that you get a more even, complete, faster and much more efficient 'burn' if the material is stood up vertical and is of roughly the same diameter.


~Martin

[AlchemyAcres]

Crushed and sifted 'char pics!
'Char needs to be moist when crushed and sifted to avoid a black dust cloud!! LOL ;D

http://i39.tinypic.com/91m6o1.jpg
Larger 'char for use in my raised beds (1/2-3/4inch).

http://i40.tinypic.com/2mdj7gl.jpg
Smaller 'char for use as a perlite replacement in seed starting, etc. (1/8-3/16 inch)


The above burner may be small, but I can make a surprising amount of 'char in an hour or so alternating back and forth between two burners. :)


~Martin

[rivahmom]

Wow. *Thanks for the info and the pics. * Hubby just got a new project added to his list. * :) * Have you noticed a great difference in plant yeilds as a result of using the char?

[MooseToo]

martin - would you envision any problems in using the ultra-fine dust ?

[AlchemyAcres]

Wow. Thanks for the info and the pics. Hubby just got a new project added to his list. :) Have you noticed a great difference in plant yeilds as a result of using the char?

I haven't been using biochar long enough (only since last summer), to form an opinion on it's overall effectiveness.



~Martin

[AlchemyAcres]

martin - would you envision any problems in using the ultra-fine dust ?

I see no problem in using the fine stuff.
I work it into the soil in my raised beds.


~Martin

[rockymtngirl]

Wow - this is great! I have a pretty heavy soil here in CO - and I have all the items shown to get this done. What is the application rate or does it depend on the soil type? Thanks for the great post!

Rocky

[idris]

Great! I keep hearing about it , as in Brasil, [terra preta] and using the gas to power whatever, The pix make all the diff to an interesting tale. I might get inspired again: did char some stuff and dig it into my veg patch, but the drought killed off most of that. I only need worry about frost, here, so I will keep an eye on how things grow *[Autumn is a coming in in Oz] and report back.

[MHinFox]

Just note added here biochar provids some great resources to the soil. A thing to keep in mind though. I use no till methods and try to keep worm count and natural soil process going as well as I can. Be careful not to over add too much of any charcoal base as it will run worms and micobes off from soil. Light/med amounts ae fine but if you over add it you will kill out certain microbes you need and run worms off. What your soil contains has a lot to do with amount you can add...so you might want to experiment some to play with concept. With biochar adding MORE does not mean even better just something to watch for. As most of you are already aware carbon is used in filter systems quite a bit to kill and filter microbil action...just so you know.

[MHinFox]

For building up soil at start is is wonderful, mother nature will finish working it for you and balencing it out over time, Indians made great uses of it to get quicker richer spots on fast track (for them during those times)