[Terrapreta] Terrapreta Digest, Vol 8, Issue 55

[PurNrg at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/23/07 8:13:13 PM, mtrevor at ntamar.net writes:


> Here is a simple question that should kick off a good round of discussion.
> Lacking any other source of charcoal is there any reason why smashed up
> brigettes ( say Kingsford) from a store should not be used?
> 
> The primarly application is in small raised beds and potted herbs mostly.
> 
> 

Hi Michael,

Very practical question :-))>. 

I, personally, was a bit concerned about the possibility of some other things 
being in the briquettes than just charcoal, like some accelerant which might 
make them easy to light, or some substance that helps them stick together in 
their characteristic shape. I thought that these unknown quantities might upset 
things, so I have been going to a Rocklands BBQ place and buying for $15.00 a 
20 pound bag of 100% hardwood Gourmet Chunk Charcoal made in East Amherst, 
NY. I've been putting it into a woven mesh bag and beating it with a hammer to 
pulverize it into smaller pieces about the size of pea gravel and then 
incorporating that into the soil. At the moment I have some parsley plants with 
charcoal, and some without, and the ones with charcoal are definitely doing better.

Good luck actually getting the charcoal into your soil!!

Warm Regards, Peter :-)>


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