[Terrapreta] project changes

[Richard Haard]

Larry, John , list readers

There is a big change in my charcoal in soil research project at 4CN.  
I have been spending time experimenting with water holding capacity  
of charcoal soil mixed and also soil/perlite for my container study.  
I had been warned but need to learn for myself that there is no  
combination with soil that will allow me to study the effects of  
charcoal in soil in containers. So rather than live with a fatal flaw  
I have decided to use a 550 foot X 4 foot seed bed for my replicated  
experiment.

This actually simplifies my work and I am looking forward to planting  
my experimental subjects at latest early May. We also be able to use  
our bareroot harvest machine, lifter-shaker to harvest and record  
biomass yield from the plots and to save the same treatments for a  
repeat planting next year. Our treatments will be based on normal  
farm practices and the charcoal and other additives will be worked in  
to rototiller depth.

Sincere thanks for patient advice while I am doing this interesting  
project.

Rich Haard, Propagation Manager, Fourth Corner Nurseries
Bellingham , Washington.