[Terrapreta] char in soil test

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi John,

I think that if you want to test the effectiveness of a charcoal amendment to soil, then it is necessary to maintain all the other parameters the same amongst the pots of different soil/charcoal mixtures (even the controls).  Specifically, the fertilization, sunlight exposure, and watering regimens should be as identical as possible.  If you have cow manure in the charcoal mix in pots with charcoal, that fertility will give an added boost to those pots.  It may well bias the results of growth measurement in the pots with your charcoal mix.  We don't want results that convince us the charcoal mix gives an improvement, when it's the increased fertilizer that did it, right?  You should try to get the same amount of cow mix into all of the other pots, or restart the test where the fertilization practice is identical in all the pots from the get go.

As for watering, soil moisture content in the pots is what needs to be the same, not how much water is put in.  So water the pots all until they begin to drip, then stop, regardless of the amount water used in any of the pots versus others.

SKB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John G. Flottvik<mailto:jovick at shaw.ca> 
  To: Sean K. Barry<mailto:sean.barry at juno.com> ; terrapreta at bioenergylists.org<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 10:02 AM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] char in soil test


  Morning Sean. 

  Thanks for all the advice which I will follow. Regarding the "fertilize" comment, some of the pots have char/cow mix (JF BioCarbon) in them which I belive will act as a natural organic fertilizer. In any case I have 6 different combinations of soils and if list members have other combinations in mind I will be happy to add some more pots. This will have to be done today though. 

  John 

  ----- Original Message ----- 

  From: Sean K. Barry <mailto:sean.barry at juno.com> 

  To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> ; John G. Flottvik <mailto:jovick at shaw.ca> 

  Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 9:54 PM 

  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] char in soil test 

  Hi John, 

  Thanks for outlining your plan for us. It looks like a pretty good plan. I like that you are using two controls (100% Lite Way and 100% garden soil). Hopefully you will fertilize some and provide the exact same dose to everything. Also keep these pots and soil for another test next season. 

  Make sure the pots have a hole in the bottom of them. Proper watering is to water them just until water starts to drip out the bottom, then stop. This way the soil will not get too wet and potentially leach any nutrients out the bottom. You may not apply the same volume of water when you water them all the same way (this might change depending on which plant and how much water it uses). Just pour in room temp water gently until water starts to drip out the bottom. The soil in each pot will contain about them same moisture content that way (and there is neither under-watering or over-watering). 

  Good luck and take lots of pictures. 

  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: John G. Flottvik <mailto:jovick at shaw.ca> 

  To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org <mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 

  Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 2:03 PM 

  Subject: [Terrapreta] char in soil test 

  Tom & list. 

  Starting my Charcoal in soil test today the 16th day of April 2007 using JF BioCarbon soil enhancement product. 

  I will have 6 numbered pots 1 to 6. I will have six sets of 6 pots so I can plant six different samples. 

  Pot #1- Bought topsoil which contains, black earth; Sphagnum peat moss; Limestone. Brand name Lite Way. 

  Pot# 2- 50 % Lite Way & 50 % powder softwood charcoal 

  Pot # 3- 50 % Lite Way & 50 % JF BioCarbon soil enhancement 

  Pot # 4- 75 % Lite Way & 25 % JF BioCarbon 

  Pot # 5- 100 % real dirt from an old garden 

  Pot # 6- 50 % real garden dirt % 50 % JF BioEnergy product. 

  I will plant some vegetables, corn and plants to try for a wide array of results. I will also cover with clear plastic to keep unwanted rain water from drowning the project. Will hand water all pots equal. 

  Progress photos and comments will be shared with our list members. Please note that I am not a soil scientist, or a Gardner but will do the best I can and keep an accurate record of my experiment. To end, pots 5 & 6 will be of most interest as real dirt is used. 

  Regards 

  John Flottvik 

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