Have you ever heard of Biochar?  Maybe.  Have you ever found it for sale?  Unlikely.  BioCHAR is known to some for its gardening benefits, but it can be very hard to come by - especially 100% true bioCHAR.  We were recently approached by Suncrest Mulch Yard with their new bioCHAR product, and we are really excited to be the first retailer selling it!  

So, what is Biochar?

Biochar is based off Terra Preta, a dark, fertile soil that was created by indigenous peoples thousands of years ago in South America, and which still remains highly fertile today. Modern biochar is made from a wide variety of organic materials such as agricultural waste, plant residues, wood, bone, etc., and is created via mechanical pyrolysis.  Using the heat released by gas combustion, it is cooked at temps between 840-1200F and the finished product can be created in just minutes to hours. Rather than contribute to climate warming, biochar production produces beneficial gasses and acts as a carbon sink, meaning it absorbs excess carbon dioxide and thereby helps to slow climate change.  AND, this carbon sequestration can last for over 1,000 years!  

So, how is it different from charcoal?

Charcoal is typically made from wood products, cane sugar, peat, coconut or petroleum.  It can be made in a chimney or woodstove by burning wood with minimal to no oxygen at a temp of around 750deg for long periods, or by a more modern pyrolysis method.  It is primarily used for cooking, heating, and water filtration, but is not beneficial for garden use and depending on ingredients may even be harmful.  Additionally, the creation of charcoal produces gasses that increase atmospheric carbon dioxide - unfortunately adding to the greenhouse effect.

So, what's the big deal?

We are thrilled to offer Suncrest’s biochar at Painters for your potted plants and gardens!  Suncrest biochar is created from sustainably sourced wood, including reclaimed timber downed during Hurricane Helene.  Using this wood decreases the risk of forest fires in WNC while creating an amazing environmental product. This may be hard to wrap your head around, but biochar is very porous and has a massive surface area… a few ounces of biochar can have the internal surface area of a football field!  How cool would it be to say this product is improving your houseplants and gardens while also benefitting the planet for centuries to come?

Garden Benefits:

Adding biochar to your soil increases porosity, allowing for increased aeration and easier root penetration, and the large surface area means plenty of room for housing beneficial microbes.  Biochar acts like a magnet for macro and micronutrients, making them easily accessible for plants that need them.  It also acts like a sponge, significantly increasing the water holding capacity of your soil.  It can help with erosion by promoting stable soil aggregates, level your soil pH (biochar is naturally alkaline), and perhaps most importantly, trap and lock away harmful toxins and heavy metals, thereby keeping your soils and plants cleaner.  And best of all… biochar requires a one-time application–the benefits will last way longer than you’ll be around!

How to use Biochar at home:

Biochar works best when ‘activated’ - meaning mixing it into soil or a compost mix and watering it thoroughly. 

• For potted plants, simply mix biochar into the soil at a ratio of 1 part biochar to 9 parts soil and water it in well. 

• For gardens, simply sprinkle the biochar over the soil evenly, mixing it into the top 2-6” of soil with a rake, then water in well to help the soil settle and activate the biochar.  1cf bag of Suncrest Biochar covers about 8-10 sq ft.

Suncrest Biochar - 1 bagged cf for $40 (comes with instructions)