[Terrapreta] charcoal mix

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Michael,

I have read anywhere from 3 tons/acre to 14 tons/acre (that's likely short tons = 2000 lbs and 2.47 acre = 1 hectare).  Pick some doable density number in that range.  Or pick a few different densities.  Decide based on how much charcoal you can make or get and how much land you want to amend.  Then cultivate the charcoal in the top 10-15 centimeters (top 4-6 inches) at that density.  If you are planting some crops in alkaline soils, find out from the nursery where you get the seeds or plants, what the pH of the soil should be.  Measure the pH of the soil after applying charcoal (litmus paper tests available at most nurseries, too), then balance the soil pH to that needed by the plants.  Add urea or compost to lower the pH, or lime to raise it, etc.  The nursery should be able to help you do this.

Regards,

Sean K. Barry
Principal Engineer/Owner
Troposphere Energy, LLC
11170 142nd St. N.
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 351-0711 (Home/Fax)
(651) 285-0904 (Cell)
sean.barry at juno.com<mailto:sean.barry at juno.com>
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael N Trevor<mailto:mtrevor at ntamar.net> 
  To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 2:23 PM
  Subject: [Terrapreta] charcoal mix


  To all:

  Can any one advise what might be consider a good ration of charcoal to soil?
  and please specify whether is it by volume or weight.  I am starting to
  produce small amounts
  as I experiment with TLUD stoves. Initially I want to mix it into some of my
  gardening
  perhaps every other plant or in alternate rows to see if there is a clear
  different in
  the plant growth. Also it should be noted I will be working with sandy
  alkaline atoll soils
  which are coral and calcareous algae based. These are quite unique and
  different from most soils
  around the rest of the world.
  Sincerely yours,

  Michael N Trevor
  Majuro
  Marshall Islands


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