bio char

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.

i always used my ash tray. no i dont smoke tobacco

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.

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.

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.

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

http://theunconventionalfarmer.com/natural-techniques/biochar/

Good article on bio char.
Short and sweet.



Thinking my Webber grill is cookingmore than hotdogs this summer.

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 said:

http://theunconventionalfarmer.com/natural-techniques/biochar/

Good article on bio char.
Short and sweet.



Thinking my Webber grill is cookingmore than hotdogs this summer.

Click to expand...

Any ol hardwood char (shiny) can be used.

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

Nope. The carbon structure remaining is nearly pure carbon

Maybe trace minerals would remain, but activated carbon is carbon

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?

I would absolutely add the manure and accumulators to the compost pile

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

Interesting. Why worm castings?

Thank you so much for the guidance.

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

I'd recommend getting a worm bin. Best friend of a plant

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?

DIY version

DIY is great.

Castings = poop.

Vermicompost = castings + humus and near-humus