Activating/ Charging Biochar

ARgardener · April 18, 2017

Alright, so I've got 2 metal trashcans full of charcoal collected from burn rings.
I read that it needs to be "charged" before being added to the soil, and I'm wondering if any of you have a procedure or recommendation to do this?

I see lots of videos of people using gobs of expensive ingredients (loads of guano, liquid kelp, micronized rock dust, etc.), but I'm looking for cost-effective, simple, and (relatively) quick way to make my charcoal effective.

Anyone have any ideas? Compost teas? Manures? Fish emulsion? etc?

IdahoTee · April 18, 2017

What about mixing the Biochar into active compost and letting it self charge?

ARgardener · April 18, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoTee

What about mixing the Biochar into active compost and letting it self charge?

I read this takes a few months

IdahoTee · April 26, 2017

Another option would be to create something like the Terra Char product.

They charge it with SCD Bio and I think Sea-90. Not sure how much Biochar you are activating, but a quart of bio ag isn't too expensive.

Here is a link to a power point somewhat detailing their methods.

http://www.dyarrow.org/CarbonSmartFarming/CSF9-SARE.pps

Worth1 · April 26, 2017

I dont think anyone knows exactly how those folks did it way back when or why.
Was it by accident or for a reason?
They probably noticed the plants were greener in the char piles at first.
Then there is the fact it was done in very poor soil not good soil.
It is only now that people are realizing just how advanced these folks were and how wide spread they were.
All it took was a little interaction with some sick Spaniards and it wiped out the whole bunch leaving a few to run off and spread the sickness to everyone else.

ARgardener · May 3, 2017

Well I gave up on rushing things. I'll activate it throughout the summer then add it to the beds once the season ends.

reubenT · December 16, 2018

I am seeing fairly good results so far with a 50/50 mix of biochar and garden dirt, adding soft rock phosphate, azomite, high calcium lime. and some form of nitrogen. Calcium nitrate on most things to get them going. Ammonia sulfate if what I'm planting needs an acid soil. Usually I'd add the sulfate when the plant blooms and starts putting on fruit. Tomatoes need plenty of it. I get the idea the biochar will gradually improve it's action and results over time and won't need much nitrogen added. Or much of anything else very often perhaps, since the carbon soaks stuff up and prevents leaching of soluble elements, also providing home for soil microbes that digest minerals and trap nitrogen from the air. In time I plan on playing with the sea minerals, strait sea water, (limited since it's a bit high in sodium) and various other products.

SQWIBB · December 17, 2018

Urea to charge.
I use a mix of urea and coffee grounds

April 18, 2017	#1
ARgardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: steamy southern Arkansas Posts: 155	Activating/ Charging Biochar Alright, so I've got 2 metal trashcans full of charcoal collected from burn rings. I read that it needs to be "charged" before being added to the soil, and I'm wondering if any of you have a procedure or recommendation to do this? I see lots of videos of people using gobs of expensive ingredients (loads of guano, liquid kelp, micronized rock dust, etc.), but I'm looking for cost-effective, simple, and (relatively) quick way to make my charcoal effective. Anyone have any ideas? Compost teas? Manures? Fish emulsion? etc?

April 18, 2017	#2
IdahoTee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Zone 4 Idaho Posts: 17	What about mixing the Biochar into active compost and letting it self charge?

April 26, 2017	#4
IdahoTee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Zone 4 Idaho Posts: 17	Another option would be to create something like the Terra Char product. They charge it with SCD Bio and I think Sea-90. Not sure how much Biochar you are activating, but a quart of bio ag isn't too expensive. Here is a link to a power point somewhat detailing their methods. http://www.dyarrow.org/CarbonSmartFarming/CSF9-SARE.pps

April 26, 2017	#5
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I dont think anyone knows exactly how those folks did it way back when or why. Was it by accident or for a reason? They probably noticed the plants were greener in the char piles at first. Then there is the fact it was done in very poor soil not good soil. It is only now that people are realizing just how advanced these folks were and how wide spread they were. All it took was a little interaction with some sick Spaniards and it wiped out the whole bunch leaving a few to run off and spread the sickness to everyone else.

May 3, 2017	#6
ARgardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: steamy southern Arkansas Posts: 155	Well I gave up on rushing things. I'll activate it throughout the summer then add it to the beds once the season ends.

December 16, 2018	#7
reubenT Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Spencer TN Posts: 12	I am seeing fairly good results so far with a 50/50 mix of biochar and garden dirt, adding soft rock phosphate, azomite, high calcium lime. and some form of nitrogen. Calcium nitrate on most things to get them going. Ammonia sulfate if what I'm planting needs an acid soil. Usually I'd add the sulfate when the plant blooms and starts putting on fruit. Tomatoes need plenty of it. I get the idea the biochar will gradually improve it's action and results over time and won't need much nitrogen added. Or much of anything else very often perhaps, since the carbon soaks stuff up and prevents leaching of soluble elements, also providing home for soil microbes that digest minerals and trap nitrogen from the air. In time I plan on playing with the sea minerals, strait sea water, (limited since it's a bit high in sodium) and various other products.

December 17, 2018	#8
SQWIBB Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Philly 7A Posts: 739	Urea to charge. I use a mix of urea and coffee grounds