Biochar: A Field Guide for Gardeners and Farmers
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About this ebook
EcoTechnologies has co-authored the first eBook on biochar in an effort to inform and encourage people who have an interest in the many benefits and environmental gains of biochar. The book, entitled, “Biochar - The eBook: A Field Guide for Gardeners and Farmers” is written in layman's terms for gardeners & farmers by leading soil scientists and horticulturalists. The eBook explains how biochar contributes to healthy soil that is the foundation for human health, and how as a sustainable soil enhancer, biochar promotes healthy plant/crop growth by aiding soil microbiology in a natural way, helping the efficiency of water uptake and nutrient retention.
With contributions from scientists, engineers and horticulturists, the Biochar eBook is the first official word on biochar’s ability to create a sustainable future. The book details the history of biochar up through how it is produced today, while also discussing how biochar nourishes the Earth’s elements in both gardens and farmland.
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Book preview
Biochar - EcoTechnologies
BIOCHAR
A FIELD GUIDE FOR GARDENERS AND FARMERS
Published by EcoTechnologies
Smashwords Edition
With contributions from:
Julie Major, PhD, Soil Scientist
Hugh McLaughlin, PE, PhD, Materials Engineer
Paul Hepperly, PhD, Agronomist
Erich Knight, Horticulturist
David Yarrow
Sam Mitchell
Copyright 2010 EcoTechnologies
This is the copyrighted work of EcoTechnologies, as originally published on Smashwords.com at http:/www.smashwords.com and at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28200.
All reproductions are to maintain this legend at the beginning and end of the work, in its entirety.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
CONTENTS
About this Book
Section I
Biochar – What is it?
Picturing Biochar
Nature’s Nano-Technology
History of Biochar
Section II
Biochar Basics
Biochar Properties and Soil
Biochar and Fire
Biochar and Water
Biochar and Air
Biochar and Soil
Biochar and Living Soil Organisms
Section III
Biochar in the Garden
Preparing Biochar for Soil
Biochar Particle Size for Gardening
Inoculation with Microorganisms
Application Rates & Methods
Do Your Own Research – Join the Biochar movement
Biochar on the Farm
Characterizing Biochar References
Highlights
Conclusion
Section IV
Web Resources, Businesses & Organizations
Biochar Publications
Contributor biographies
About this Book
We hope this book will inform and encourage people who have an interest in, and can benefit from, biochar. It is not written for scientists, but might sound that way on occasion as we describe properties that make biochar unique and so beneficial. This book is for everyone who understands soil is the foundation for human health, economic security and climate stability. In short, life.
Photo: International Biochar Initiative
Actual Bits of Biochar
In 1851, Andrew Jackson Dowling, a renowned landscape designer, horticulturalist and writer of his time wrote:
"Canals and railroads wrote a one-way ticket for soil fertility. They bring from the West millions of bushels of grain, and send not one fertilizing atom back to restore the land. And in this way we shall by-and-by make the fertile prairies as barren as some of the worn out farms of Virginia."
This quote was a prelude to the Dust Bowl, though not meant as a prediction at the time.
SECTION I
Biochar – What is it?
Biochar is a special form of highly porous charcoal … then what is highly porous charcoal? It’s charred carbon made by heating biomass – commonly waste wood – without oxygen. One of the great things about biochar is it can be made from any biomass waste – materials we have no better use for at a given time and place. Biochar is a great way of