Frequently Asked Biochar Research Questions

FAQ

If biochar has been around for so long, why have I not heard of it before now?

Biochar was used for thousands of years by indigenous tribes, and indeed is still used by some indigenous people. We lost the know-how as science came along and gave us chemical fertilisers which allowed farmers to increase crop yields in tandem with the ever-growing population that were by the 1800 until now increasingly living in cities.

Can I make my own biochar?

Yes, you can re-cycle your food and garden waste and burn it in a kiln to make your own biochar. There are many commercially available kilns, and we encourage you to do so. Your garden will thank you when you apply your biochar to your garden.

How much biochar should I apply?

It is hard to apply too much biochar, but as simple guideline, apply little and often, and take the time to observe how your plants and the soil are reacting to it. The application rates we recommend are on the conservative side.

When is saturation point reached / can I apply too much biochar?

Like the reply to the previous question, there is no firm guideline to this ands much will depend on the type of biochar being applied to the type of soil and state it is in when the biochar is applied. Suffice to say, it will take of lot of biochar to alter the makeup of soil or overload your plants.

Do biochars differ in quality and content?

Yes, biochars vary in many ways. Feedstock material can vary from wood to manure and in between. The molecular structure of biochar will vary depending on the temperature it is heated to and length of time it was heated for. Manure biochars (examples will typically include poultry or cow manure) will have a higher content of nutrients than say a wood biochar. Poultry biochars will not need to be activated in the same way as a wood biochar. Wood biochar will also vary depending on how it was processed, for example if the leaves and twigs remined in the feedstock, the makeup of the biochar will change. The size of the material and moisture content at time of pyrolysing will also influence the final structure of the biochar. Key to biochar properties will be consistent management of feedstock and consistent pyrolysis itself.

Is biochar safe?

Biochar has been used for by our forefathers for thousands of years as a fertiliser. There is no evidence it is harmful to humans, animals, or plants. It is recommended though, as with any garden additive that care is used when applying it and suitable protective clothing is recommended. Our biochar and biochar compost are supplied with some water added to ensure it is not too dusty. If you find that for any reason it is powdery or dusty care should be avoided to avoid inhaling dust.

Am I really helping the planet by buying biochar?

When you buy our biochar or our biochar composts, you are preventing CO₂ from entering the atmosphere. Every kilogram of our biochar that you put on your soil, returns approximately 2.5 tonnes of Carbon to the land, and stops it being released as CO₂into the atmosphere. When you buy a bag of biochar, you will be actively helping to mitigate climate change by capturing carbon in your soils.

What is the difference between charcoal and biochar?

First, biochar is not just burnt wood, which is effectively what charcoal is. Biochar is more porous and has a much larger surface area than charcoal (a kilogram of will have a surface area of several football fields) and this improves soil structures and house beneficial bugs. Charcoal is usually formed at a lower temperature and its main use today is as a fuel for barbecues and this releases CO₂ into the atmosphere. Biochar is less reactive, and the carbon remains in the soil. Charcoal will usually contain more contaminants.

How long does it take to see the effects of biochar in my soil?

Biochar works slowly and will enhance soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability, with its impact becoming more pronounced as it integrates into the soil environment over time. Generally, some improvements may be noticed within one growing season (e.g. where an activated nitrogen enters a nitrogen depleted soil) however, this can vary depending on a range of conditions such as the weather, soil type and plant species.

Is biochar safe for all types of plants, including vegetables and flowers?

Yes, as biochar itself is inert; it doesn’t cause problems to plants or animals in the low quantities we recommend. Our products are safe for use as soil amendments for any plants. Furthermore, they are peat-free, eco-friendly and are specially made with trees, lawns, turf, vegetable, and flowering plants in mind.

How does biochar contribute to sustainable gardening and farming?

Biochar contributes to sustainable agriculture by increasing soil organic matter, enhancing soil health, conserving water, improving nutrient efficiency, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, and aiding in carbon sequestration to combat climate change.

Does biochar raise soil pH?

Where a soil has a low pH, it is more acidic and less amenable to supporting optimum plant growth. In this situation, biochar is a great addition to acidic soil, as it will raise the soil pH to make it more suitable for plant life. Biochar, however, by itself is mildly alkaline.

What is the shelf life of biochar?

When stored in a dry environment, biochar has an exceptionally long shelf life. It will remain stable for years.

How does biochar help with water conservation in soil?

Biochar helps with water retention in soil due

to its highly porous structure and,
the cationic exchange effect,

which allows it to act like a sponge, absorbing and holding water. This allows the soil to maintain moisture for longer periods, reducing the need for frequent watering and helping plants withstand drought conditions.

Conversely, when there is too much water, its porosity allows the excess water to drain. Further as the biochar is irregular in shape, it will break up tight soils such as clay, allowing water to drain more easily. At the same time, the cationic exchange effect means that the biochar will hold onto nutrients rather than allow them to leach into waterways.

What Is the difference between biochar and compost?

When it comes to biochar vs. compost in your garden, much depends on the current state of your soil. In many situations, a combination of biochar and compost is the most effective way to amend soil. While both can sequester carbon dioxide in the soil, biochar is far more effective at it.

Does biochar add nitrogen to the soil?

As a soil amendment, biochar boosts the nutritional availability in soil for enhanced plant growth. Research also shows that premium biochar enhances nitrogen retention in soil, which is an essential nutrient for hearty, robust plants. Biochar is not a fertilizer and does not directly add nitrogen to the soil. It will reduce the loss of fertilizer from the soil through washout and evaporation.

Which plants does biochar help the most?

Hundreds of research papers have been published regarding the impact of biochar on plants. The best way to summarise the results is to say that in many cases biochar has resulted in increased yields and quality of plants ranging from grapes to tomatoes to wheat with very few reported cases of lower yields. So overwhelmingly the answer to the question, is that the application of biochar improves plant yields.