[Terrapreta] Compost ( was Char made made under pressurized conditions? )

[Greg and April]

I don't think that we can just let it set there "in situ" completely.

In some places it's so dry that unless we add moisture at low levels, and some minor mixing to ensure that the material on top also composts, rather than just sit there.

I continuously add rotted hay, urine soaked straw, and rabbit poo, to my garden, and it composts over the year, but, I only mess with the top layer ( until I add another layer ), to make sure that it doesn't compact as multiple layers can do - what I'm working for, is finished material at the bottom, and fresh material at the top, and a gradual change from fresh to finished.

Greg H.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tom Miles 
  To: 'Larry Williams' 
  Cc: 'Terra Preta List' 
  Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2008 15:20
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Char made made under pressurized conditions?


  SNIP

   

  I see compost as a method of delivering charcoal to the urban/suburban homeowner. It is a method of packaging charcoal in a premixed nutrient package that is easy for our consumers to buy. Think of it as a bulk "black magic". The energy consumed for processing is not much different than the soil and compost products currently available, just add charcoal . I have previously surmised that if you put such a mix into new construction of the kind that you have described you should really see the results in about three years. I haven't done that but I think I'm right. 

   

  In the case of the rural smallholder the energy input is labor to make the charcoal and labor to create the compost, compost tea, digestate, etc . If the result is increased productivity and increased drought resistance then it is worthwhile for locations like the Sahel, the Gambia etc.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digestate )

   

  I was discussing TP with a friend who is seeing impressive results in the second year of pot trials with charcoal. The first year was not impressive but the second year has been very impressive.  That first growing season is  probably taken up with the inoculation and adaptation. 

   

  If we change our expectations can we skip separate composting and compost in situ by mixing the ingredients and letting nature take its course? All application and site specific, or course.

   

  Tom

   
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