Allan Baker, an avid home gardener, always dreamed of growing prize-winning tomatoes. And he did a pretty good job with fish fertilizer made from the fish he raised. And irrigation on timers. But he still was not getting the best he could out of his tomatoes and whenever Allan watered his raised bed, water would leak out the bottom since the soil just could not hold that much water. 

Biochar improved water retention:

He took a radical approach to improve the situation, mixing biochar with compost and incorporating it two feet deep into his raised bed. This wasn't just a sprinkle on top; Allan was committed to transforming his soil from the very foundation. He envisioned the biochar's microscopic pores creating a network of tiny reservoirs within his soil, holding onto both water and nutrients. Would this experiment finally give his tomato plants the boost they needed?

The results were astonishing. Allan's formerly leaky raised bed now held moisture like a sponge. The biochar's pores captured the water, preventing it from draining away and providing a consistent water supply to his tomato plants' roots. No more worries about underwatering.

Benefits beyond water retention

But the benefits didn't stop there. Biochar also helps the soil hold onto essential nutrients, preventing them from leaching away. It provides a haven for beneficial microorganisms, boosting the overall health and vitality of the soil. And as a bonus, the biochar helps to neutralize the pH of soil, creating a more ideal growing environment for tomatoes.

Long term benefits

This year, Allan's tomato plants are thriving. They're taller, healthier, and laden with plump, juicy tomatoes. His experiment with the biochar-compost blend has not only solved his watering woes but has transformed his raised bed into a vibrant ecosystem teeming with life. What was once a source of frustration has become Allan’s tomato triumph, all thanks to the power of biochar. An added bonus is that biochar is biopersistent with 75% lasting in excess of 1000 years so unlike most soil additives biochar will help Allan’s garden year after year. Could biochar be the secret ingredient your garden needs? 

 

See Allan showing off his tomato plants in the video below.

 

 

Make Your Own Biochar!

Did you know you can make biochar while enjoying a backyard fire pit? Here at Pi Fabricators, we're passionate about helping gardeners create amazing biochar enriched soil. That's why we created an innovative and stylish biochar fire pit. Enjoy relaxing evenings by the fire, and harvest biochar to enrich your garden! Who knew backyard fire pits could be so productive?

Click here to learn more about the Biochar Fire Pit.

 

 

About the author

Hi, I'm Daniel Bechtoldt, a mechanical engineer. I'm passionate about using biochar to improve soil health and sequester carbon dioxide. When I'm not spending time with my family or finding solace in nature, I'm developing innovative biochar and tool storage solutions for people like you.