At Wakefield BioChar, we love educating customers about the many benefits of biochar and how it can positively impact your lawn and garden.
Below we offer some tips on how to use our premium biochar products to ensure beautiful and thriving plants in your backyard. Or, first click here to learn what biochar is.
How to use biochar
You can apply biochar directly to the root zone at the base of plants or over topsoil. Mix biochar into the soil and water it enough to keep it moist for about 5-7 days.
For gardens and raised beds, mix biochar into the top 4-6 inches of soil. Use 1 cubic foot bag for a 4’x8’ garden bed.
When seeding new lawns, mix biochar into the top 2-4 inches of soil. Use approximately 1 cubic foot bag for every 100 square feet. Gently rake the grass seeds into the soil-biochar mix.
For fastest results, we recommend activating the biochar by mixing it with equal amounts of organic compost. Use the application rate calculator on our product pages to find out how much biochar is recommended for your planting.
How to improve garden soil
Applying biochar can significantly – and permanently – boost the quality of garden soil, especially when used in conjunction with organic compost. The biochar is a carbon-structure with a tremendous amount of micro-pores that retain water, nitrogen and creates a structure for microbes to thrive. The increased microbial activity along with the availability of water and nutrients improves the root health of any plant.
To further improve soil in your backyard, soil testing is recommended. That way, you’ll know exactly what your soil is missing. Aeration is also beneficial, as it loosens compacted soil for improved airflow and nutrient access.
How much biochar should you add to soil?
A general rule of thumb is that at least 10% of the planting area you’re working on should consist of biochar. However, this percentage should be increased when soil condition is extremely poor. Learn more here about how to add biochar to soil.
How long does biochar last in soil?
Unlike other soil amendments whose impact dissipates over time, biochar can continue to improve the quality, health, and texture of your soil for decades and, quite possibly, centuries! Long-lasting benefits of biochar include drought resistance, boosting plant growth, filtering soil impurities, disease resistance, water retention for sandy soils that drain quickly, and much more. Learn more here about how long biochar lasts in soil.
How to make the most of your soil type
There are six types of garden soil, including:
- Loamy
- Clay
- Sandy
- Chalky
- Peaty
- Silty
Knowing which plants will fare best in your particular soil type will ensure they remain healthy. For example, shrubs, root crops, and tomatoes are a great fit for sandy soil types.
If you have loamy soil, you’ll do well with perennials and berry plants. As for clay soil, fruit trees, bergamot, and vegetables like kale are good options.
No matter what conditions you’re dealing with, using Wakefield BioChar in your soil can create prime growing conditions for a variety of plants and crops.