Urban Worm Company 2 quarts (.95 lbs) Urban Worm Biochar
Urban Worm Company Urban Worm Biochar
Urban Worm Company Urban Worm Biochar
Urban Worm Company 2 quarts (.95 lbs) Urban Worm Biochar
Urban Worm Company Urban Worm Biochar
Urban Worm Company Urban Worm Biochar
Urban Worm Company 2 quarts (.95 lbs) Urban Worm Biochar
Urban Worm Company Urban Worm Biochar
Urban Worm Company Urban Worm Biochar
Urban Worm Company 2 quarts (.95 lbs) Urban Worm Biochar
Urban Worm Company Urban Worm Biochar
Urban Worm Company Urban Worm Biochar

Urban Worm Biochar

$17.00
Size: 2 quarts (1.7 lbs)

Add intense microbe and nutrient storage capacity to your soil. Urban Worm Biochar is produced in Maine from wood waste through a high-temperature, low-oxygen process called pyrolysis.

The result is a 97% carbon product with massive, positively-charged surface area to provide an extremely dense habitat for microbes and high cation exchange capacity (CEC)) for your soil.

Estimate delivery times: 3-6 days (United States).

Return within 30 days of purchase.

Urban Worm Company 2 quarts (.95 lbs) Urban Worm Biochar
Urban Worm Biochar
$17.00

What is Biochar Used For?

Biochar is primarily used as a soil amendment. It's a type of charcoal produced from burning organic matter in a low-oxygen environment. When added to soil, biochar improves soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and overall fertility, leading to healthier plants and increased yields.

Biochar vs. Charcoal: Key Differences

  • Production: Biochar is made from various biomass sources using controlled pyrolysis. Charcoal is traditionally made from wood with a less controlled process.
  • Use: Biochar is primarily a soil amendment. Charcoal is primarily a fuel source.
  • Pore Structure: Biochar has a more porous structure and larger surface area, which is crucial for soil benefits. Charcoal has less developed porosity.
  • Stability: Biochar's carbon is more stable, allowing for long-term carbon sequestration. Charcoal's carbon structure is less stable.
  • Nutrient Content: Biochar may contain some nutrients from the feedstock. Charcoal may have fewer.

In essence, biochar is designed for soil, while charcoal is designed for fuel, leading to differences in production and properties.

Biochar in Compost

Biochar is commonly incorporated into compost piles to significantly enhance the composting process. Its porous structure plays a crucial role in improving aeration, ensuring that the compost pile receives the oxygen it needs for efficient decomposition. This aeration also helps to reduce unpleasant odors often associated with composting, as it promotes aerobic decomposition.

Biochar acts like a sponge, absorbing and retaining valuable nutrients within the compost pile, preventing nutrient loss from leaching during heavy rainfall or watering. While its porous structure helps hold water and air, biochar is most effective when "charged" or activated, pre-loading it with essential nutrients and beneficial microbes that plants need.

The biochar's structure also provides a beneficial habitat for the microbes responsible for breaking down organic matter, fostering their growth and activity. This increased microbial activity accelerates the decomposition process, leading to a more stable and nutrient-rich compost that will greatly benefit your garden or soil. ​

Activated Biochar Inoculation

Biochar activation is the crucial process of preparing biochar to be most effective as a soil amendment. It involves loading its porous structure with readily available nutrients and establishing a thriving microbial community within it. This is typically achieved by mixing biochar with nutrient-rich substances like compost, compost tea, microbial inoculants, liquid fertilizers, or worm castings.

Activated biochar offers several advantages:

  • Nutrient Availability: It makes the nutrients readily available to plants, preventing them from being tied up in the soil.
  • Microbial Habitat: It provides a home for beneficial microorganisms, which are essential for nutrient cycling and soil health.
  • Enhanced Soil Health: It helps create a more balanced and fertile soil ecosystem that supports plant growth and overall soil health.

In essence, activation transforms biochar from a helpful soil conditioner into a powerful soil enhancement tool.

How to Activate Biochar

1. Preparation:

  • Choose your biochar  
  • Select activation materials

2. Mixing and Incubation:

  • Combine biochar and activation materials: The ratio can vary, but the goal is to thoroughly coat the biochar particles.
  • Moisten the mixture: Add enough water or liquid to moisten the biochar, but avoid making it soggy.
  • Incubate: Allow the mixture to sit for a period of time, usually a few weeks, to allow the biochar to absorb the nutrients and microbes. This incubation period allows the microbes to colonize the biochar's pores.
  • Turning (optional): Turning or mixing the biochar during incubation can help ensure even distribution of nutrients and microbes.

3. Indicators of Activation:

  • While there isn't a single universal indicator, a successfully activated biochar should:
  • Have a pleasant, earthy smell.
  • Be moist but not wet.
  • Show signs of microbial activity (e.g., white fungal growth in some cases).

Description

Add intense microbe and nutrient storage capacity to your soil. Urban Worm Biochar is produced in Maine from wood waste through a high-temperature, low-oxygen process called pyrolysis.

The result is a 97% carbon product with massive, positively-charged surface area to provide an extremely dense habitat for microbes and high cation exchange capacity (CEC)) for your soil.

Shipping & Returns

Shipping Information

UPS and USPS can deliver most items within 3–5 business days. UPS is unable to deliver to P.O. boxes.

Shipping Rates

Concession rates: We offer a lower than normal rate on all products.

Expedited

Expedite delivery rates are calculated at checkout.

Return Policies

At TeraGanix, we take great pride in the quality of our products. Upon receipt of your item, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement.Within 30 days, you may return your items for a refund of the merchandise value.

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