[Terrapreta] no instantaneousness = no overnight

[Larry Williams]

Francoise-------Although, my gardening with charcoal has not been  
entirely successful, the word instantaneous does seem to be out of  
place. Folkes' comments may hold true with more use of charcoal in  
fields and gardens.

His timetable has elements that I accept as "on the mark". I have  
used charcoal to reduce the smell of kitchen scrapes including meats  
and fats without the local dogs or rats finding these treats. I do  
believe that the smell of these kitchen scrapes is absorbed by  
freshly made charcoal. Years ago, I buried kitchen scrapes without  
using charcoal and the "kitty" holes needed to be deep to prevent  
these two critters from digging for the best parts. With the use of  
charcoal the "kitty" holes appear to only need to be shallow. I have  
no wish to feed rats but do wish to know what deter them. Is that an  
instant effect. Yes, but is not biologically active charcoal.

Over time, the functions of charcoal do seem to increase the benefits  
to the garden plants. My experience suggests that after eight months  
charcoal laying on a fungal substrate with a small amount of urine  
added retain a rich organic smell that can only be attributed to  
urine. This charcoal, when buried under some vegetables, made a  
significance differences in the growth of those veggies. Is that  
instant?  No. Is it biological active. I believe so.

Why in one situation the charcoal seems absorb smells and in another  
it seems to retain a modified smell is interesting. Are you a kid in  
the garden?  Explore with the curiosity of a young boy-------Larry



-----------------------------
On Jun 2, 2008, at 12:45 AM, folke Günther wrote:

> The Terra Preta soils are more than 500 years old. Thinking of  
> creating them overnight is as futile as thinking of getting a wine  
> similar to a Pemier Crus Bourgogne from a three-week wine making kit.
> However, certain effects can be found rather immediately. Among  
> those are:
> (0-2 weeks)Collecting urine in a bucket of charcoal will not lead  
> to any foul smell, which may otherwise be experienced.However, when  
> the charcoal is saturated with the nutrients that will be  
> experienced. Then, it is time for the compost.
> (1 month +) If charcoal is added to the compost, the decomposition  
> rate will increase. (This is what Wardle observed)
> (0-2 months) Application of charcoal directly on top of soil will  
> deter snails (as Arion lustanicus). I will soon show some highly  
> unscientific pictures of that effect. Could be a very interesting  
> research programme.
> The charcoal will soon be tilled (or dug) down in the soil. Them,  
> the next effect can be experienced:
> (2-3 months) There will be a very fast increase in the earthworm  
> population, both in number and size. This is probably an effect of  
> the increased soil microorganism population.
> (6 months +) The effect on plants due to the above is rather  
> dramatic and well known by the members of this list.
> However, just planting trees doesn't give you a forest. You have to  
> be persistent and patient.
>
> FG
> ------------------------------
> 2008/6/2 francoise precy <f.precy at hotmail.co.uk>:
>
> Hello Sean
>
> "I'm quite sure I never said putting charcoal into soil  
> "instantaneously" makes it into Terra Preta soil. If you think so,  
> then show me the post where I said that.":
> Soil-wise, "overnight" = "instantaneous" =unbalanced approach.
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 21:43:24 -0500
> From: "Sean K. Barry"
> Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Old native earth ovens.
> To: "'Kurt Treutlein'" , "'terra pretta group'"
> , "MFH"
>
> Hi Max,
>
> ...
> I suspect making Amazon style TP soils would take quite a long  
> time. Its just a thought though. Maybe the effect could be made to  
> happen overnight or in a single growing season with one application  
> of the "right stuff", too. Who knows?
>
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> ----------------------------------------
> Folke Günther
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