Biochar Making & Activation for Soil Workshop

Scientists have found areas of the Amazon where soil up to 2 metres deep has high concentrations of charcoal and organic matter.

These dark-coloured soils – known as ‘terra preta’ (dark earth) – are highly fertile and have supported agriculture for centuries.

Biochar has a highly porous structure, making it a giant sponge which soaks up water, nutrients and invites microbial colonisation.

Adding biochar to your garden and pasture is an organic way to improve the soil. Research has found properly-made biochar helps the soil by holding moisture, retaining nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, raising the pH of acidic soil, reducing the incidence of plant disease, increasing plant productivity, limiting the bioavailability of heavy metals, reducing nutrient leaching.

Then there is biochar’s potential to help with climate change. Biochar can store carbon over hundreds of years (sequestration), reduce greenhouse gases methane (CH₄), and carbon dioxide (C...