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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: lillian on July 28, 2013, 09:58:04

Title: Anybody make their own biochar using weeds?
Post by: lillian on July 28, 2013, 09:58:04
I've been reading up on diy biochar and wondered if this is the perfect answer for utilizing my humongus pile of weeds or do I need more woody material?
Title: Re: Anybody make their own biochar using weeds?
Post by: caroline7758 on July 28, 2013, 10:15:42
Do you have a link? Sounds interesting.
Title: Re: Anybody make their own biochar using weeds?
Post by: lillian on July 28, 2013, 10:29:54
There are lots of youtube vids as well.

http://organicconnectmag.com/wp/improve-your-soil-and-combat-global-warming-with-diy-biochar/ (http://organicconnectmag.com/wp/improve-your-soil-and-combat-global-warming-with-diy-biochar/)
Title: Re: Anybody make their own biochar using weeds?
Post by: Digeroo on July 28, 2013, 16:10:58
I thought you needed wood to make charcoal for bio char.

If you have a huge pile of weeds I would simply compost them.  I never seem to have enough compost. I have several daleks and keep filling them, and when I return they are less than half full so I fill them again and again.  If I end up next spring with them more than half full I will be pleased. 

Also things like sweet corn, rhubarb, courgettes, squashes and pumpkins love a good pile of weeds as a mulch.
Title: Re: Anybody make their own biochar using weeds?
Post by: lillian on July 31, 2013, 08:20:16
I got 5 bins of good compost and 1 large pile plus 2 bins of weedy compost. I use the weedy compost in homemade grow bags but I am overwhelmed with the weedy stuff.  If i put it back in the soil I'll end up with even weeds. I just don't know what to do with it.