A simple way to improve soil health
Biochar is a carbon-rich natural material gaining popularity among gardeners, farmers and environmentalists for its ability to rapidly improve soil health and reduce carbon emissions.
But what exactly is Biochar, and why should you consider using it in your garden?
In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of Biochar, how it’s made, and the best ways to use it in your garden – including a simple at-home way to activate your Biochar before use.
How is Biochar made?
The process of pyrolysis
Biochar is created through a process called pyrolysis, which involves heating organic plant materials in a low-oxygen environment at high temperatures (300 –700°C), leaving behind a stable carbon structure.
The resulting carbon-rich Biochar acts as a sponge for nutrients and water, making it highly beneficial for soil health.
Key ingredients for Biochar production
Almost any type of organic matter can be used to make Biochar. The most common sources include wood waste, animal manure and forestry by-products.
Our Food2Soil premium-grade Biochar is created using sustainably sourced Australian nut shells (a waste product of the nut industry) – making this a 100% recycled product.
What type of plants benefit from Biochar?
Biochar can be used with any plants, including veggies, ornamentals, potted and indoor plants, shrubs, trees, flowers, lawns and even Australian natives.
Biochar can also be an excellent addition to your compost pile. It helps aerate the compost and reduces odours by filtering gases. It also retains nutrients during the composting process, ensuring they are not lost and are available when you apply the compost to your garden.
What types of soils benefit from Biochar?
Biochar is suitable for use on all soil types and will benefit the healthy living ecosystem of any soil. But it’s especially helpful for sandy, compacted, or heavy clay soils.
In sandy soil, Biochar significantly improves water retention and prevents nutrient leaching. In clay soils, Biochar’s improves drainage and aeration, helping prevent water-logging while allowing roots to access oxygen and nutrients more efficiently.
How to use Biochar in your garden
Recommended Biochar application rates
For most gardens, the recommended Biochar application rate is about 5–10% of the total soil volume. This equates to about 1L of Biochar per square metre of garden space.
Excessive Biochar can reduce the availability of nutrients, so stick to the recommended rates. Over time, Biochar will continue to enhance soil health, but a little goes a long way.
How often to apply Biochar
As a general rule, apply Biochar every 6-12 weeks during the growing season, until the top 30cm of your soil contains the required 5-10% biochar.
Biochar is most effective when mixed evenly into the top 15-30cm of your soil. If using as a top dressing, ensure you cover Biochar with mulch.
Mixing Biochar with other soil amendments
Biochar can be used alongside compost, manure, mulch, straw, no-dig layers and other natural soil amendments to enhance its effectiveness.
When combined with these kinds of organic matter, Biochar helps create a fertile environment for microbial activity and nutrient cycling, further improving plant growth.
Ensure you activate your Biochar
Biochar needs to be activated, or 'supercharged' before application. The best way to do so is using a simple at-home Activation Kit.
This easy process involves inoculating the Biochar with beneficial live microbes and nutrients first, making it more effective in boosting the functionality of your soil, which in turn helps your plants grow healthier and stronger.
You simply mix Biochar with a microbially-rich liquid such as Food2Soil All-Purpose Biofertiliser (made from food waste diverted from landfill) or compost before adding it to your garden.
How to activate your Biochar before use
(Makes enough to treat 1m2 of garden soil):
- Dilute 20ml of Food2Soil All-Purpose Biofertiliser in 80ml of water.
- Pour or spray the diluted mixture over 1L of Biochar, mixing thoroughly.
- Allow to stand for at least 30 minutes.
- Mix into the top 30cm of your soil.
We recommend purchasing the Food2Soil Biochar Activation Kit, which contains everything you need to quickly activate your Biochar at home.
Struggling with very poor soil? Try Activated Di-Char
For particularly nutrient-poor or lifeless soils, try Activated Di-Char Soil Rescue Remedy. This unique Australian-made product is specially designed to restore and rebuild healthy soil ecosystems, fast.
Made from 100% recycled materials, Activated Di-Char combines two powerful ingredients, both using ‘waste’ products diverted from landfill:
- Carbon-rich Biochar is made from sustainably sourced Australian nut shells, a waste product of the nut industry.
- Activated ‘digestate’ is the organic solids left over from our fermentation process turning food waste into rich plant food.
Together, they create the ideal environment for beneficial soil organisms, which play a crucial role in improving soil health, structure and fertility.
What is digestate?
Digestate is the organic solid material that remains after Food2Soil’s unique fermentation process, which converts food waste diverted from landfill into nutrient-rich plant food.
This digestate is packed with billions of live beneficial microbes, essential for rebuilding soil life quickly.
It also contains a high amount of organic matter, which serves as food for bacteria, fungi, worms, and other microorganisms that are vital to soil health.
How Activated Di-Char works to improve your soil
- Biochar’s porous structure: The carbon-rich Biochar in Activated Di-Char creates an ideal habitat for beneficial soil organisms. Its porous surface traps water, nutrients, and microbes, ensuring they stay in the soil and are available to plants when needed.
- Microbial inoculation: The digestate in Activated Di-Char is loaded with live beneficial microbes that rapidly break down organic matter and improve soil fertility. These microbes help to stimulate root growth, enhance plant health, and increase resilience against diseases.
- Organic matter boost: Digestate is also rich in organic matter, providing essential nutrients that feed the soil’s beneficial bacteria, fungi, and worms. This rapid boost of organic matter leads to faster soil recovery, improved plant growth, and better water retention.
How to apply Activated Di-Char
Activated Di-Char is generally applied in the same quantity and frequency as Biochar.
For most gardens, the recommended Activated Di-Char application rate is about 5–10% of the total soil volume. This equates to about 1L of Activated Di-Char per square metre of garden space.
As a general rule, apply Activated Di-Char every 6-12 weeks during the growing season, until the top 30cm of your soil contains the required 5-10% biochar.
The benefits of using Biochar in your garden
Soil health and fertility
One of the most significant benefits of Biochar is its ability to improve soil structure and boost soil functionality, helping with aeration, water retention and root growth.
Its porous nature allows it to retain moisture and essential nutrients, making them more available to plants while reducing your reliance on fertilisers.
Biochar also creates a rich habitat for billions of beneficial microbes that boost soil fertility and help plants thrive.
Water retention
Suitable for use on all soil types, Biochar is especially helpful for sandy, compact, or heavy clay soils.
This is because Biochar acts as a water reservoir. Its porous structure traps and holds water, reducing the need for frequent watering, especially in drought-prone areas.
Its porous surface traps and holds water, helping plants survive drought conditions and reducing water use.
Carbon sequestration and environmental impact
Biochar’s stable carbon structure enables it to lock away carbon in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years.
By converting organic waste into Biochar instead of allowing it to decompose and release CO2 into the atmosphere, Biochar helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promotes long-term carbon storage.
This means your garden can play a role in reducing harmful carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Where to buy Biochar & Activated Di-Char
Sourcing local and sustainable Biochar
When purchasing Biochar, look for products that are sourced locally and are responsibly made to reduce environmental impact.
Food2Soil premium-grade Biochar Soil Improver, for example, is created using sustainably sourced Australian organic plant material and nut shells – making this a 100% recycled product.
For even better results, we recommend purchasing the Food2Soil Biochar Activation Kit, which contains everything you need to quickly 'charge' your Biochar at home by adding a fast-acting shot of live beneficial microbes, which help all plants grow and thrive.
And for particularly nutrient-poor and lifeless soil, try Food2Soil Activated Di-Char Soil Rescue Remedy – and help reduce food waste sent to landfill. This all-natural treatment contains carbon-rich Biochar blended with ‘digestate’: the organic solids leftover from our fermentation process turning food waste into rich plant food.
DIY Biochar versus store-bought Biochar
While you can purchase Biochar ready-made, it is also possible to create it at home.
If you have access to agricultural waste or wood chips and a kiln or retort, you can make your own Biochar using proper safety precautions.
However, for most gardeners, store-bought Biochar is a convenient and effective option.
Start improving your soil and plant health today
Whether you're growing vegetables, flowers or managing a larger landscape, Biochar can play a vital role in transforming your soil.
Its ability to enhance soil fertility, retain moisture and sequester carbon makes it an ideal choice for all gardeners – try some today and cultivate a more productive, resilient garden.