10. From Biochar to Nitrochar
Very Useful Black Stuff
We add nutrients from multiple sources to convert Biochar to Nitrochar. Every batch of Biochar and Nitrochar has a range of unique qualities depending first upon type of material initially used to make the char. Bark, pine, and hardwood from our forest are regularly used. Nitrogen comes from animal urine and dung and liquid offal. Life can only exist by assorted combinations of carbon water and nitrogen, and a few other elements. Biochar without nitrogen is a sterile substance. So, we add nitrogen rich ingredients to make Nitrochar. Corrected balanced nitrochar kicks like “The Year of The Horse”. It is very useful stuff to regenerate degraded soils. In rich soils, it is not really required. With biochar and its derivatives we have converted impoverished old cultivation country to soft fertile garden soil, equel to the best soil within a 6 day march in any direction. It is used with all new plantings of seedling trees = NOTE: biochar content for tree hole plugs varies according to tree species = we also add wood shavings to reduce over alkiline effect. (Recommended reading = 100 Tree Hole Plugs) We fertilise established trees and garden beds with different blends at different times of the year.
Every batch of Nitrochar and Biochar has unique texture, content, aroma. Biochar is part of a process. Soil fertility is a process. Four years into our Long Yard Garden Development – Turnips are setting seed for the first time. So we think – the organic matter in the soil has reached a perfect equilibrium of fertility.
PHOTO 1: Sheep trampling charcoal and adding nutrients from dung and urine
PHOTO 2: A BioChar Plug to enhance tree growth. This tree hole was dug with auger to minimum 600mm deep, backfilled with charcoal, soil and liquid offal. By this process seedling trees can put roots down to subsoil moisture usually within first growing season. Carbon and nitrogen binds to form humus, which is soluble plant food. PROCESS Starts with charcoal in bottom of hole, add soil, water in, add charcoal, water in…and so on..until you have a plug of charcoal full of soil with nutrient. Let the holes sit for a while is recommended to avoid future sink hole effects. Hire a bobcat with auger for a day and you should be able to dig several hundred holes up to1 metre deep. NOTE: Some trees do not respond to excessively alkaline conditions that may be induced by biochar especially without a balance of nitrogen. SEE LINKS to STORIES ABOVE for more insight.
PHOTO 3: Part of the process of making a charcoal burrow on The Island Bong attached to the main dam at Janahn. CIRCA 2014.
PHOTO 4: Dense compacted NitroChar from the overnight sheepyard.
PHOTO 5: Biochar is placed into the overnight sheep yard to be ground and trampled.
PHOTO 6: From the sheep yard, refined NitroChar infused with urine and manure.
PHOTO 7: Sheep are contained overnight in portable yards in Long Yard Garden during first Year of development where they are trampling charcoal that was burnt on site. CIRCA 2014.
PHOTO 8: English Oak responding to Nitrochar applications. CIRCA 2016.