The Amazing Benefits of Biochar

Biochar is and acts very similarly in most respects to organic matter in the soil, except that unlike organic matter it does not decay, and lasts decades (and even centuries) in the soil. A name that better describes biochar would be “stabilized organic material”, but biochar is easier. While it is generally difficult and expensive to maintain soil organic levels over 4%, biochar effectively increases organic levels above this threshold, permanently.

Like compost or other organic material Biochar is most commonly used as a soil amendment to improve soil texture, water retention, nutrient retention, nutrient availability, and mild liming capacity. Though beneficial for nearly all soil types and regions, biochar is especially beneficial for Northwest soils, which tend to be acidic and heavily leached by wintertime rainfall. Biochar helps retain nutrients during the wintertime and then make them available to plants during the growing season, increasing fertility and reducing inputs. However, the greatest benefit of biochar is its persistence; biochar continues to persist and benefit soil for years (and even centuries). Other common uses of biochar include livestock feed supplement, manure management, and stormwater management.