Biochar is a sustainable soil amendment that has been in use for at least 2,000 years. It is a highly absorbent carbon material made from biomass that is heated in the absence of oxygen in a process known as pyrolysis. The biochar is then ‘charged’ with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other micro-nutrients by mixing it with compost, worm castings, soaking it in a compost tea or some other nutrient source that can be absorbed.
The Biochar Project
In June of 2017, the District received a three-year Grant from the Washington State Soil Health Committee to fund biochar field studies in Mason County. The study includes trial sites that were treated with two types of biochar, planted with a cover crop and then seeded with winter squash.
Barbara Adkins, the project lead, has been busy during harvest this fall analyzing data between squash grown with bio-char and squash grown in untreated soil. Squash will be replanted and tested annually until 2020.
The goal of this project is further understand the effects of biochar on the balance of pH, nutrient retention, soil microorganism populations in local soil and crop yield. Look out for updates as we work to better understand the vast world of soil health!
Barbara Adkins, the project lead, has been busy during harvest this fall analyzing data between squash grown with bio-char and squash grown in untreated soil. Squash will be replanted and tested annually until 2020.
The goal of this project is further understand the effects of biochar on the balance of pH, nutrient retention, soil microorganism populations in local soil and crop yield. Look out for updates as we work to better understand the vast world of soil health!
Why Biochar?
Biochar under the microscope showing the cell structure that can retain water and provide habitat for beneficial microbes
Biochar is a sustainable soil amendment that has been in use for at least 2,000 years. It is a highly absorbent carbon material made from biomass that is heated in the absence of oxygen in a process known as pyrolysis. The biochar is then ‘charged’ with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other micro-nutrients by mixing it with compost, worm castings, soaking it in a compost tea or some other nutrient source that can be absorbed.
- Biochar retains nutrients and water in the soil preventing runoff and leaching
- Nutrients and water are accessible to plants and soil microbes as they need them
- Biochar helps soil retain water, protecting against drought and fluctuating weather
- Biochar makes nutrients present and available in the soil for much longer
- It works to sequester carbon, retaining carbon in soil for hundreds to thousands of years
- It is made using renewable materials and can utilize waste material from operations such as logging