Biochar
Revive Your Roots with Biochar that Brings Soil to Life.
Make a
Difference
Charge Biochar before adding!
Add Biochar to soil: about 5-10%
Add Compost to your Soil 1:1, min.
Soil + Biochar + Compost = Fertile Soil.
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Cut Hazardous Trees
On hazardous mitigation projects we clear forest floors and cut trees that are dead and/or impact homes.
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Transport Materials
After a tree is cut and sectioned, it is transported to our yard for processing.
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Burn Wood
Wood that does not qualify for firewood, wood chips, or timber is used for biochar. It is burned at a high heat, doused, mixed, sifted, then quality tested.
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Available
Ready for pick up or delivery!
Is BioChar Right for You?
Biochar offers a wide range of benefits for both individuals and businesses. Here are some key reasons why people around the world are using it:
Soil Improvement: While not a fertilizer, Biochar enhances soil by improving structure, boosting water retention, promoting plant growth, raising pH levels, and supporting beneficial microbes.
Increased Crop Production: Studies show Biochar can suppress diseases in plants like tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and asparagus, while increasing crop yields for chrysanthemums, tomatoes, lettuce, and basil.
Carbon Sequestration: Biochar captures and stores carbon in the soil, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.
Improved Water Quality: It helps filter pollutants from water and reduces the impact of agricultural runoff, while also enhancing water retention and drainage.
Reduction of Greenhouse Gases: Biochar reduces methane and nitrous oxide emissions from soils, contributing to lower agricultural pollution and overall greenhouse gases.
Balanced Soil pH: Biochar neutralizes acidic soils, making them more suitable for agriculture.
Waste Management: It can be made from organic waste materials, offering a green recycling method and reducing waste.
Biochar is a valuable tool for sustainable agriculture, climate change mitigation, and environmental conservation.
Why BioChar? Facts & FAQs
Biochar is an ancient practice believed to have originated with Pre-Colombian Amazonians. They would bury and burn agricultural waste, creating a soil-enriching product that fostered a fertile environment for crops to thrive.
Whether using it for feed or plants, a little goes a long way! Check the section below for recommended ratios. A successful mix of charged soil (soil + biochar + fertilizer) naturally resists disease and insects, promoting soil fertility that can last for hundreds of years.
It’s important to "charge" Biochar before use to unlock its benefits. If not charged, it can absorb vital nutrients like nitrogen, temporarily depleting the soil. Once properly charged, Biochar has no negative effects. With a high pH (8.5+), it should be diluted, as most plants thrive in a mid-range pH.
The best Biochar comes from the forests and lands we serve, where excess woody material that fuels wildfires can be repurposed. After collection, we fuel our kiln and begin the roasting process.
Compost materials for "charging" Biochar include animal manure, kitchen scraps, hot compost, vermiculture, lawn clippings, and more.
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Biochar is a type of charcoal produced through the pyrolysis of biomass, where organic waste is heated with very limited airflow. When the temperature reaches around 660ºF, the process becomes exothermic, meaning it generates heat without consuming additional energy.
Biochar is proven to enhance soil quality and crop growth while also sequestering carbon in the soil, providing long-term environmental benefits. It's a valuable tool for managing soil health and mitigating climate change.
Agricultural Benefits:
Biochar has been shown to significantly improve crop yields compared to areas where it was not applied.
It has produced dramatic yield increases in poor soils, such as acidic tropical soils, sometimes doubling production or more.
In more fertile soils, yield improvements are typically more modest, in the range of a few to tens of percent.
Biochar is a soil amendment and should be used alongside nutrient sources like green manures, animal manures, compost, or fertilizers. It does not replace these inputs.
Yield Improvements Attributed to Biochar:
1. pH Increase: Biochar often has a high pH, acting as a natural liming agent. This benefits soils that are too acidic but may not be suitable for soils that already have a high pH.
2. Nutrient Retention: Over time, biochar enhances its ability to retain nutrients in the soil. Once applied, it remains active for centuries to millennia, gradually improving nutrient retention as it ages.
3. Improved Soil Properties: Biochar is porous and lightweight, acting like a sponge to retain water, which can benefit plants during dry periods. It improves water infiltration and reduces soil compaction, enhancing aeration in clay soils and water retention in sandy soils.
4. Supports Beneficial Microbes: Biochar creates a habitat for beneficial soil microbes by providing shelter in its pores, protecting them from predators. This is a long-term benefit for soil health.
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Remember:
Biochar isn't really biochar unless it has nutrients added before application.
It must be "charged":
i.e. in a wheelbarrow: add soil, then 5-10% biochar, mix, then match soil 1:1 with ready compost or nutrient solution and mix. Charged!
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Is Biochar Right for You?
While Biochar offers many benefits, it might not be the best choice for everyone. We want to ensure you’re fully informed and can make the best decision for your needs.
Just like tomato sauce can be great for some people's heart and gut health, it can also be too acidic for others. The same concept applies to soils and Biochar. Here are some considerations before implementing it:
Soil Compatibility:
Not Suitable for All Soils: If your soil pH is already high (7 or above, alkaline), Biochar may raise it even more, which can be unnecessary.
Unsuitable for Acid-Loving Plants: Plants that thrive in acidic soils, like blueberries, magnolias, hydrangeas, and azaleas, don’t fare well in more alkaline environments.
Preference for Alkaline Soils: While some plants prefer a higher pH, naturally acidic soils and acid-loving plants may struggle if Biochar is applied.
Feel free to reach out to us for consultations and ideas. We’re here to help you make the best choice for your soil and crops.
