Biochar and organic plants are a natural fit. Our premium biochar for organic farming can make all the difference in your soil’s fertility and crop yield.
Understanding Biochar – A Natural Wonder for Organic Plant Growth
Conventional agriculture disrupts the soil, increases erosion and subsequent runoff, and poisons the land with chemicals. Natural soil microbes are depleted, and topsoil is lost to erosion. Standard agricultural practices send large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming. Organic farmers understand that these methods wreak havoc on soil and its biology.
Biochar repairs degraded soil, improving drainage and aeration, moderating acidity, and supporting a healthy soil ecosystem.
Our compost and biochar for organic farming is already charged for use.
There’s no question that organic farming methods require more work than conventional agriculture. Biochar cuts down the amount of work necessary while boosting soil fertility and increasing plant health and crop yield.
In addition, it is likely that organic farmers will see a greater financial return on their crops after using biochar due to better growth and increased yield.
Enhancing Soil Structure and Fertility With Biochar
So, what exactly is biochar and how does it enhance soil structure and increase fertility?
The use of biochar as a soil amendment dates back thousands of years to its use by indigenous people in the Amazon Basin. By heating agricultural waste at very high temperatures and allowing it to smolder, they created Terra Preta, the Black Earth that significantly increased the fertility of poor jungle soils. Worldwide, natural biochar is found in areas after vegetation fires.
Today, biochar is created by pyrolysis, or the heating of biomass at high temperatures in an oxygen-free environment. The result is a highly porous, charcoal-like substance that enhances soil structure by providing a safe habitat for beneficial microorganisms and fungi. These microorganisms aid in providing greater nutrient intake by plants, thus boosting growth and fertility.
Improving Nutrient Retention and Availability in Organic Farming
While biochar does not add nutrients to the soil per se, it does hold nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous. Biochar creates a binding agent so that nutrients fuse, making them readily available for root systems.
Plants boost their nutrient uptake, which in turn encourages stronger root systems.
Biochar improves all soil types while reducing the need for fertilizer.
Biochar Binds Pollutants
Note that if you are restoring degraded soil on your acreage, biochar can bind with pesticides already present in the dirt. That binding means biochar may prevent toxins from leaching into the groundwater. Biochar can also remove pollutants such as heavy metals.
Biochar’s Role in Suppressing Soilborne Diseases in Organic Farming
Because organic farmers do not use herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides, combatting soilborne diseases is challenging. Biochar can suppress plant pathogens, protecting crops from certain diseases.
Water Conservation and Efficient Irrigation With Biochar
Due to its extreme porosity, biochar retains water so that plants have adequate moisture even during times of drought. This soil conditioner is especially useful in erosion-prone areas and can reduce erosion as well.
If your farm’s irrigation capabilities are limited, biochar can aid in moisture retention so that plants have water available during dry spells.
Carbon Sequestration: Contributing to Sustainable Organic Practices
Global warming is responsible for much of our rapidly changing climate. Driven by greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide, a changing climate threatens us all. Biochar sequesters carbon in the soil so that it does not go into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from biomass decomposition.
For every pound of biochar sequestered into the soil, almost two pounds of carbon dioxide are removed.
Advancing Organic Farming Practices With Biochar
When it comes to organic farming, biochar applications can advance virtually all of your practices. Once applied, the benefits of biochar last for decades, if not centuries. Biochar provides not only environmental benefits for your organic farm but also economic benefits.
Organic farming is rewarding but not an easy way to make a living. Biochar can restore your soil while lightening the labor intensity of the organic farm workload. Make it part of your organic farming practices, along with the use of cover crops, manure, and other natural materials.
Learn More From Wakefield BioChar
At Wakefield BioChar, rebuilding healthy soil sustainably is our goal. We know we share that mission with organic and regenerative farmers. Our biochar is made from virgin wood scraps from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified forests in the U.S.
Better Soils. Better World.