Has Anyone Tried Biochar?

[FarmTech]

Biochar can be used to improve soil condition. It loosens the soil, improving aeration, water retention, and making it conducive for beneficial soil micro organisms. Has anyone seen where bio-char have been used? Has anyone tried using it? If so what results did you get?

[FarmTech]

I used charcoal to grow scent leaves. It did well but unfortunately, I didnt compare it to know how well wrt control.

[FarmTech]

I used charcoal to grow scent leaves. It did well but unfortunately, I didnt compare it to know how well wrt control.

[FarmKing]

Yes! I ran a side-by-side trial last rainy season—maize on sandy loam with and without biochar.

Biochar plots held moisture better and reduced nitrogen leaching. Yield was up by about 15–18%.

Just make sure the biochar is fully cooled and “charged” (composted or soaked in manure tea) before application. Raw biochar can actually rob nutrients from the soil and lead to low yield.

Biochar is carbon. Generally materials high in carbon will rob nutrients from the soil. Dry grass, sawdust etc are high in carbon.

[MamaGreens]

We used homemade charcoal fines in our vegetable beds. Spinach and ugu leaves came out greener and faster-growing.
I mixed it into compost 2 weeks before applying. Helps reduce smell too.
Only regret: didn’t make more!

[Techie Farmer]

Watch out though—not all charcoal = biochar. Some are treated with chemicals, especially BBQ charcoal. Use clean wood charcoal or make your own with a TLUD kiln.
Also, apply moderately. Too much can mess with soil pH.

[CassavaBoss]

Anyone try it on cassava? I’ve heard mixed results. Some say it helps with root formation, others say it’s not worth the effort unless your soil is already poor.

[YoungAgropreneur]

I’ve used it in nursery bags for pepper and tomato seedlings. Helps prevent damping off, and seedlings establish quicker after transplanting. I now mix 10% biochar in my potting mix by default.

[GreenVet]

Tried it on my poultry farm waste compost. The smell reduced and fly pressure dropped significantly. The final compost was rich and didn’t burn the plants. Great for both crop and livestock integration.