Biochar is a product of plants and for plants. In our article you can find out exactly what the special substance is all about, how it can help you in the garden and what you should look out for when buying ready-made biochar. We also provide you with specific product recommendations. At the end of our guide you will find a video that shows you how to make biochar yourself.
Biochar contains many valuable nutrients
Our recommendations
our recommendation
bionero organic active soil 20l, Terra Preta for multiple increases in yield when gardening, soil activator made from 100% local raw materials, natural CO2 binding through biochar
To the product| activated | Yes |
|---|---|
| consistency | granulated |
| organic quality | Yes |
| pack size | 20L |
| price/l | approx. EUR {PRICE/20} |
According to the manufacturer, the organic active soil from bionero(R) is a highly effective Terra Preta - made from 100 percent local raw materials and also produced in Germany. The activated soil contains plenty of biochar mixed with humus and compost. bionero(R) advertises that biochar can store 3.5 times its own weight in CO2. That's a significant value. The previous reviews on Amazon indicate that this ready-to-use growing medium really does what it promises. The advantages of the product also include the organic quality and the excellent price-performance ratio.
our recommendation
Neudorff Terra Preta soil activator 20 kg
29.99 EUR To the product| activated | Yes |
|---|---|
| consistency | granulated |
| organic quality | no |
| pack size | 20L |
| price/l | approx. EUR {PRICE/20} |
The soil activator from the well-known and popular Neudorff brand is not entirely organic, but it does contain organic vegetable charcoal and other high-quality ingredients if you look at the opinions of Terra Preta buyers on Amazon. Most of the soil activator is described as an "excellent product" that does exactly what it is supposed to do. Only the "penetrating smell of manure" is considered unpleasant.
our recommendation
Dehner organic soil conditioner for all garden plants, 4 kg, for approx. 20 sqm
9.99 EUR To the product| activated | Yes |
|---|---|
| consistency | granulated |
| organic quality | Yes |
| pack size | 4kg |
| price/kg | approx. EUR {PRICE/4} |
The third-placed soil conditioner in our comparison is produced entirely in organic quality and comes from the well-known Dehner brand. Due to the smaller package size, the activated biochar is particularly recommended for gardeners who need relatively little of it for their green oasis. The price-performance ratio is worse than our other two recommendations. Some reviewers could not find any particular effect, but most customers seem to be very satisfied.
Purchase Criteria
activation
There is pure biochar that you have to activate or charge yourself. There are also numerous products that are already activated and contain microorganisms and/or nutrients in addition to the biochar.
The advantage of the products that have not yet been activated is that you can decide for yourself which nutrients you charge the charcoal with. In contrast, already pre-activated biochar has the advantage of being directly usable.
our recommendation
Biochar, biochar, premium quality, in the resource list for the ecolog. Listed for agriculture, for composting, soil improvement, Terra Preta production & CO2 binding, bulk volume 50 litres
46.95 EUR To the productconsistency
Depending on the manufacturer and the product, the biochar is either coarser or finer ground. Coarse-grain coal produces less dust. There shouldn't be any difference in quality.
organic quality
Yes, biochar also exists in both organic and non-organic quality. If in doubt, it is advisable to give preference to organic biochar - to do something good for the environment. In terms of the functionality of the fabric itself, however, you are not necessarily dependent on it.
Country of Manufacture
If the biochar is manufactured in Germany, you can be sure that you are purchasing a very high-quality product.
pack size
As a rule, the liter becomes cheaper with increasing pack contents. Before you buy, think about what you want to use the biochar for and how much area you want it to cover. This provides information about which pack size is best for you.
frequently asked Questions
What is biochar?
Biochar is the charred residue of organic materials such as plants or manure. The special raw material has a porous surface. Like a sponge, it can absorb significant amounts of water and nutrients.
The production of biochar at a glance:
- Biochar is obtained through the pyrolysis of plant raw materials
- Processing of the biomass into fine-pored coal at temperatures of over 300 degrees Celsius
- Combustion takes place without or with very little oxygen (biomass does not burn with a flame, but smolders)
- water is split off from the organic residues
- this produces gases, waste heat and biochar
- Biochar binds minerals and gases (e.g. CO2) from the biomass
What is biochar used for?
Its porous structure and absorption capacity make biochar a popular tool in the garden: it loosens the soil and binds water and nutrients, which it then makes available to the plants. In addition, it promotes good soil culture: Microorganisms and bacteria settle in its many niches.
In short, biochar is used to improve the soil - whether in a private allotment garden or in professional agriculture.
Speaking of agriculture: Farmers use biochar in animal husbandry in particular - as an additive to animal feed and in stable bedding. As a result of this measure, the biochar is later also present in the liquid manure or manure. This creates a valuable cycle: Slurry and manure are later composted and finally worked into the soil or applied directly. This in turn benefits the soil, plants and living beings.
By the way, biochar is a sustainable resource in several respects:
- organic waste is recycled
- Waste heat (product of manufacture) can heat biomass and can be converted into electricity
- binds climate-damaging CO2
- binds nitrate and thus reduces nitrate leaching (protection of groundwater)
- hardly degrades in the soil, remains stable for years
tips
In principle, you can treat biochar like a natural battery. By enriching them with nutrients, i.e. fertilizing, before incorporation into the soil, you charge the charcoal - activate it, so to speak. If necessary, it releases water and nutrients to the surrounding plants. Do not integrate biochar into the soil in its pure form, otherwise it will withdraw the water from its environment and the nutrients dissolved in it, which would logically have a negative effect on plant growth.
And one more piece of advice: Biochar can be composted together with organic waste to form a particularly fertile hummus. This will set a sustainable material cycle in motion:
- When they ferment, plant debris releases nutrients and gases (CO2, nitrous oxide, and methane).
- Microorganisms store these nutrients and gases on the surface of the biochar.
- The biochar binds the nutrients and gases so strongly that only fine root hairs are able to loosen them.
Is biochar carcinogenic?
If the quality is right, biochar is not carcinogenic. PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are formed during production - these are massively carcinogenic. If the respective manufacturer uses a valuable process, the hazardous substances are burned without residue immediately after the coal is formed.
What is the difference between charcoal and biochar?
In principle, charcoal is nothing more than a special form of vegetable charcoal in which only wood is processed.
For this purpose, it is essential to differentiate biochar from HTC charcoal (hydrochar), as the Association for Biochar expressly points out. HTC charcoal is produced differently (hydrothermal carbonization with water or steam and often with the addition of chemical additives) and therefore has completely different properties than biochar. HTC coal is similar to lignite in its profile of characteristics.
Which manufacturers offer good biochar?
Among the best-known and most popular manufacturers of biochar are Jäger and CARBOGARDEN.
Where is the best place to buy biochar?
Biochar is available in hardware stores or garden centers. However, Amazon offers you the largest selection.
How much does biochar cost?
Depending on the manufacturer, product quality and package size, biochar generally costs between 45 cents and two euros per liter/kg.
Can I make biochar myself?
Yes, that is possible. This video shows you exactly how:
youtube