bio char

pope creek

pope creek

Active Member
Thinking of making a crude homemade bio char.
Want top dress through flowering.
Wondering what to burn with my wood and manure to add the right kind of charge?
Also, suffering a magnesium issue so maybe mg accumulator plants.
I only have very basic understanding, maybe some experts can chip in.
 
testiclees

testiclees

Well-Known Member
pope creek said:
Thinking of making a crude homemade bio char.
Want top dress through flowering.
Wondering what to burn with my wood and manure to add the right kind of charge?
Also, suffering a magnesium issue so maybe mg accumulator plants.
I only have very basic understanding, maybe some experts can chip in.
Click to expand...
bro biochar isnt especially useful as a top dressing. To make the char you need to be able to control temps and oxygen.

Also to charge the material you make a slurry or a soak. There are a few out there that are sold as precharged.

This link
https://logicalgardener.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=54&hilit=biochar
has knowledgeable gardeners discussing the use of biochar.
 
pope creek

pope creek

Active Member
OK. Sure it's true for the good stuff but I think you can crudely approximate by burning hardwoods, manure and plant material. Extinguish just before ash, either smother or with a charged tea. Dry, crush and apply.
Obviously this probably isn't the real deal but I see how it could work.
As for top dressing, I've seen that recommended on the store bought stuff. Also says you can use it in a tea.
 
pope creek

pope creek

Active Member
Testiclee,
Just read that thread you linked and it was pretty encouraging.
Looks like impregnated charcoal and fancy bio char have similar properties and effects.
Plus top dressing is appropriate. Though not as immediate as mixing deep.
Interesting stuff, thanks.
 
Rrog

Rrog

Well-Known Member
Grab a bag of lump charcoal. It's the char you want.

Break into chunks under 3/4" via your favorite method

Place in pails, add water and maybe alfalfa for N. Now it's biochar and best used in the initial soil mixing.

Please don't waste your cash on pre-charged biochar. It's the latest scam
 
Rrog

Rrog

Well-Known Member
I'm finally moved and will be building my TLUD. Two 55 gallon drums each with a 30 gallon inner drum. And a smokestack. I'll be producing a few cubic yards thru the fall
 
pope creek

pope creek

Active Member
Interesting stuff.
In one version I saw it talks about burning manure and accumulator plants along with carbon.
Wonder if it has an effect?
 
Rrog

Rrog

Well-Known Member
Nope. The carbon structure remaining is nearly pure carbon

Maybe trace minerals would remain, but activated carbon is carbon
 
pope creek

pope creek

Active Member
Rrog

I am having some mg deficiency, perhaps caused by lock out due to hard water.
Do you think bio char could help?
Can it hold mg if I charge it appropriately?
 
Rrog

Rrog

Well-Known Member
pope creek said:
Rrog

I am having some mg deficiency, perhaps caused by lock out due to hard water.
Do you think bio char could help?
Can it hold mg if I charge it appropriately?
Click to expand...
No. Fresh char is + charge. That's why it sucks N- from its surroundings. Mg is +

I would get a drench of worm casting or better, worm compost
 
Rrog

Rrog

Well-Known Member
Good worm compost will have the nutrients you want in a safe bioavailable form. Tends to set things straight. If you have microbes, they'll be thanking you. You just won't quite hear them
 
pope creek

pope creek

Active Member
I'm working hard making compost. Hoping to attract extra worms by adding cardboard.
No budget for a worm bin at present.
Will investigate a day version.
Is everything the worms live in considered castings or do you put the critters in diapers?
 
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