[Terrapreta] What is TP?

[Kevin Chisholm]

Dear Kurt

Firstly, as per Richard's suggestion, to avoid the baggage associated with Terra Preta, I would propose to call it "Bio Preta"
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kurt Treutlein 
  To: Terra Preta 
  Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 9:09 PM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] What is TP?


  Kevin Chisholm wrote:
  > Thanks for the feedback. In my opinion, these are the sort of 
  > questions we need to answer. I say that because I am running some 
  > humble TP tests now, and I am very aware of all teh things I might be 
  > doing wrong.
  >  
  > What would you think of making up a list of necessary answers that a 
  > "Future TP Practicioner" must know, and then proceeding methodically 
  > to get them?
  I think it's putting the cart before the horse. First experiment with 
  putting charcoal in soil, in your particular area, and follow whatever 
  leads and byways this takes you to. THEN you will be able to come up 
  with answers to the questions that people might raise when they look at 
  what you have done and where it took you.

  Good points. I have 4 tests going, repeated in triplicate:
  1: 33 Litres soil + 11 litres seaweed.
  2: 33 litres soil
  3: 33 litres soil + 11 litres seaweed + 1911 gms charcoal
  4: 33 litres soil + 1911 gms charcoal

  Based on the wet weight of the soil, this is a 6% by weight charcoal addition.
  How am I doing so far? What should I have done differently? 


  Raising questions now suggests that you already have all the answrs and 
  just want to put the knowledge out there in the form of a faq.

  If there was a list of questions, I would have a better idea of what to look for as the corn grows. 
  Can I expect to see a difference in teh first year, or will it only be the second, third or 4th year before teh differences become apparent?

  I'm going to measure tehe height of the plants and the number and weight or corn cobs from each plant the day after teh first frost. Is this a good way to evaluate performance? 

  Best wishes,

  Kevin

  >  
  > Once we have the list of "needed answers, we can then proceed to get 
  > them methodically. My mistake mwas to pose too many questions at once.
  >  
  > Q: How do you eat an Elephant?
  > A: One bite at a time. :-)
  First you need a cutting implement to get something off the elephant 
  that you can actually eat
  >
  >  
  > What would you suggest as a way to proceed from here?
  >  
  Ibid.



  regards,

  Kurt

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