Biochar: A Field Guide for Gardeners and Farmers

By EcoTechnologies

EcoTechnologies has co-authored the first eBook on biochar in an effort to inform and encourage people who have an interest in the many benefits and environmental gains of biochar. The book, entitled, “Biochar - The eBook: A Field Guide for Gardeners and Farmers” is written in layman's terms for gardeners & farmers by leading soil scientists and horticulturalists. The eBook explains how biochar contributes to healthy soil that is the foundation for human health, and how as a sustainable soil enhancer, biochar promotes healthy plant/crop growth by aiding soil microbiology in a natural way, helping the efficiency of water uptake and nutrient retention.

With contributions from scientists, engineers and horticulturists, the Biochar eBook is the first official word on biochar’s ability to create a sustainable future. The book details the history of biochar up through how it is produced today, while also discussing how biochar nourishes the Earth’s elements in both gardens and farmland.

• Language: English
• Publisher: EcoTechnologies
• Release date: Oct 27, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452466651

Book preview

BIOCHAR

A FIELD GUIDE FOR GARDENERS AND FARMERS

Published by EcoTechnologies

Smashwords Edition

With contributions from:

Julie Major, PhD, Soil Scientist

Hugh McLaughlin, PE, PhD, Materials Engineer

Paul Hepperly, PhD, Agronomist

Erich Knight, Horticulturist

David Yarrow

Sam Mitchell

Copyright 2010 EcoTechnologies

This is the copyrighted work of EcoTechnologies, as originally published on Smashwords.com at http:/www.smashwords.com and at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28200.

All reproductions are to maintain this legend at the beginning and end of the work, in its entirety.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

CONTENTS

About this Book

Section I

Biochar – What is it?

Picturing Biochar

Nature’s Nano-Technology

History of Biochar

Section II

Biochar Basics

Biochar Properties and Soil

Biochar and Fire

Biochar and Water

Biochar and Air

Biochar and Soil

Biochar and Living Soil Organisms

Section III

Biochar in the Garden

Preparing Biochar for Soil

Biochar Particle Size for Gardening

Inoculation with Microorganisms

Application Rates & Methods

Do Your Own Research – Join the Biochar movement

Biochar on the Farm

Characterizing Biochar References

Highlights

Conclusion

Section IV

Web Resources, Businesses & Organizations

Biochar Publications

Contributor biographies

About this Book

We hope this book will inform and encourage people who have an interest in, and can benefit from, biochar. It is not written for scientists, but might sound that way on occasion as we describe properties that make biochar unique and so beneficial. This book is for everyone who understands soil is the foundation for human health, economic security and climate stability. In short, life.

Photo: International Biochar Initiative

Actual Bits of Biochar

In 1851, Andrew Jackson Dowling, a renowned landscape designer, horticulturalist and writer of his time wrote:

"Canals and railroads wrote a one-way ticket for soil fertility. They bring from the West millions of bushels of grain, and send not one fertilizing atom back to restore the land. And in this way we shall by-and-by make the fertile prairies as barren as some of the worn out farms of Virginia."

This quote was a prelude to the Dust Bowl, though not meant as a prediction at the time.

SECTION I

Biochar – What is it?

Biochar is a special form of highly porous charcoal … then what is highly porous charcoal? It’s charred carbon made by heating biomass – commonly waste wood – without oxygen. One of the great things about biochar is it can be made from any biomass waste – materials we have no better use for at a given time and place. Biochar is a great way of