Biochar is an eco-friendly fertilizer containing fine- grained charcoal high in organic carbon. It is produced from the burning of organic materials. As a soil amendment, biochar can replace commercial fertilizers to avoid polluting groundwater. Biochar-amended soils have shown 50 – 80% reductions in nitrous oxide emissions and have reduced the amount of phosphates found in groundwater.

Biochar has been around for thousands of years. Amazonian Indians used biochar to improve the fertility of their soil. They made biochar by burning wood, leaves, and animal remnants. Biochar has been used by many different cultures leading up to today. Currently, biochar is being studied by scientists around the world. Biochar is sold commercially in South America, but is not yet available for sale in the U.S.

Biochar is a carbon negative, meaning it takes carbon from the atmosphere and locks it into the dirt for millions of years, reducing global warming. Biochar reduces emissions of green house gases. Biochar is organic and does not harm the groundwater with phosphates. Biochar holds nutrients in the soil. Biochar improves soil fertility and productivity. Biochar can be made at home. Biochar allows soil to retain water for longer periods of time to conserve water.

First you have to gather wood and burn it. Before the wood turns to ash, you have to smother the fire with dirt. Scrape the char off the wood and collect the charcoal in a large container. Mix the char with bone meal, peat moss, and other organic materials and add it to your soil.

Andrea Spahn, NJ Watershed Ambassador New York Times Stephanie Murphy, PhD, Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory

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