[Terrapreta] horse manure

[MFH]

I don't know if Biochar was produced, but given the size of the manure pile
there would have been some composting happening inside, and also some
leaching of nutrients into the soil by rainfall. Plus increases in the soil
of all sorts of fungal and bacterial activity. I think you would have been
able to grow great vegetables just by raking aside the manure. Or of it had
weathered sufficiently, planting direct into it. Or better still converting
it into worm castings by adding composting worms.

 

Max H

 

 

  _____  

From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Jack Hickman
Sent: Monday, 12 May 2008 10:52 PM
To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
Subject: [Terrapreta] horse manure

 

  I own three horses and they can produce a lot of manure.

I put the manure pile at the south end of the garden.It grew to twenty foot
square and four foot high.The manure pile was five years old and it was very
dry when I set it on fire.The pile burned for months It did not blaze but
smoldered.

  I have used the burned area for years without fertilizer.It grows great
vegetables without it.Could this be a type of biochar?

  I enjoy the site very much.

 Jack

 

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