I use a little wood charcoal in my worm bins, it has improved the vermicast=
consistency and no doubt when in the ground will house microbes a little l=
onger in its open passages.
It does take some time (Two months) before the microbes have managed to op=
en up the passages & penetrate the charcoal. The bits I use are about 5mm &=
smaller.
Ian C
----- Original Message -----
From: David
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2011 3:43 PM
Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Biochar revolution, Compost, AACT's and your t=
houghts...
We have been adding biochar to our plot for the last 3 years as a means o=
f improving the water retention, and it really does work!
We use a barrel within a barrel to burn kiln dried waste wood trimmings, =
which would normally go into the landfill. The inner barrel has fine holes =
which reduces the transfer of oxygen, producing super charcoal. Broken fine=
and incorporated into the plot the growth of plants is quite remarkable, c=
ertainly better under drought conditions.
--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "robert a" <bangstrom_at_...> wrote:
>
> Biochar is incompletely burned biomass that is added to the soil as a s=
oil amendment. The advantage of adding carbon to the soil as charcoal is th=
at charcoal has a half life in the soil of about a thousand years so the be=
neficial effects of moisture retention and improved soil structure are long=
lasting and increase with every application. Much of soil in the Amazon ba=
sin appears to artificial and still benefiting from the pre-Columbian use o=
f biochar.
>
> I tried adding home-made biochar to my garden last spring but it will p=
robably be a few years before I accumulate enough charcoal in the soil to b=
e of much benefit.
>
> http://www.agrinews.com/biochar/research/rooted/in/ancient/history/stor=
y-2745.html
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biochar
>
> http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/ancient-skills-=
could-reverse-global-warming-1055700.html
>
Received on Mon Sep 12 2011 - 02:11:54 EDT