Terra Preta: Properties Of Materials: Charcoal, Biochar

Properties of charcoal give it amazing nutrient absorbing and water storing abilities. These properties come from its tremendous surface area, and accessibility of its interior by microorganisms.

All fire makes charcoal, the key is to douse the fire immediately after forming charcoal, as every moment thereafter just creates more ash. Also, the shock of dousing the fire will put micro-fractures through the material. Additional micro-fracturing is created from freeze-thaw conditions in water.

It is these micro-fractures that allow microorganisms access to the interior of the charcoal, Finely crushed material even more so. The microorganisms are free to travel through the soil to collect the minerals they need. Plants secrete sugars through their roots to attract those microorganisms, and thus collect the minerals indirectly from an area larger than their root structures can by themselves.

Lastly, soil containing charcoal will saturate itself with minerals before allowing those minerals to leech out of the soil. Every fall and throughout the winter, the season's organic matter breaks down, and no matter the conditions, the soil will recharge its mineral reserves. Nothing is lost, except any surplus that can be afforded.

We have a giant cottonwood tree that produces a ton of forest soil every year from its leaves. Just rake out the loose leaves, fill a bucket with the top inch of fine leafy material and dirt, and replace the leaf cover. Mix a half-bucket of freshly made, crushed wood charcoal with the forest soil, and enough water to just saturate the mix. Do this in the fall, and leave it in the bucket over winter so the charcoal saturates with all the nutrient goodness, and so the freeze/thaw cycles open up the charcoal structure, making the nutrients accessible to microorganisms.

This is a rough recipe for Terra-Preta, which merely means Dark-Earth, there is no magic to it (Magic is any phenomenon, imbued with wonder, compensating for, or in place of, understanding)

Charcoal is an excellent filter material that absorbs minerals, so it could be mixed with used cat-litter, or put under compost bins, so that the minerals that leach out may be stored for later soil use.

Most importantly, use the materials you have, and take the time to charge up the charcoal before using it in the garden. It comes from fire, and all those microorganisms have to be put back in it.

However it is mixed, new batches must mature, allowing time for the micro-ecosystem to balance itself with the specific characteristics of the soil.

Visual illustration with sculptures © 2010 Helioforge Creations. Larva Swarm Screensaver © 2010 Helioforge Creations

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[Greltam]

Awesome How-To. I'm turning lawn into garden this year, which is on a slight incline. The soil is a heavy clay and flooded. I dug a drainage trench yesterday and waiting for it to drain to till. Over the course of the summer I'll be composting and now thanks to you, gathering wood to make charcoal.

[Helioforge]

@Greltam Nice, just remember not to breathe the exhaust from the fire, it's really nasty!

[TheWebock]

Yea! But does biochar have any surface area? Just kidding. Great video!

[Planogardener]

I've started a raised bed using Terra Preta, so I'm eager to see the results this year.

Good Video! Thanks.

[vidaripollen]

fantastic!!!

[iliveilearnigrow]

great video!!! i have broken wooden trellises that have medal staples to keep the pieces together, do you think it would be harmful to burn and to use? or should i attempt to remove each staple?

[Tomorer]

Yes mate, superb video my friend. Very well presented and scientifically interesting. Nice one with the not letting 'any of that good stuff go to waste' bit :()

ALL AMERICANS WITH A GARDEN USE THIS METHOD BEFORE THE SHOOZ BAN GATHERING MATERIALS IN THE FORESTS... SERIOUSLY !!!!

[gardenvespers777]

Wow Helio, I've never heard of this before. Using charcoal. Looks like I need to do some research and figure out how to make some! thanks for sharing!

[field16]

Interesting video. I guess it's safe to assume you will be using this mix in your garden.

I put small sticks directly into my compost pile. Takes longer, but eventually it turns into compost and I'm in no rush. Your way gives faster results. Cheers.