The purpose of charging is to fill the nutrient storage capacity of the biochar. This way it will be able to release nutrients once it is in the soil. If you don’t charge it, the biochar will first take up nutrients from your soil and temporarily depleat it.

Charging Biochar – Mulching

Use a nutrient rich biomass for mulching so that it can charge the char over time (e.g. fresh grass clippings).

1. Mix the biochar with the grass cutting in a ratio between 1:10 and 1:20 (by volume). This is a dry mix, it is not necessary to add more water.

2. This mix is used as mulch. Apply it in a thin layer (around 1cm) to the top of your soil, around your plants! This will provide the nutrients your plants need throughout one growing season.

This is a way to apply biochar if you have already planted or want to reapply biochar. 

If you have a poor sandy, acidic or dry soil , this method isn’t the best for you. Use a method where you incooperate the biochar in the soil directly.

You can always mix your nutrients sources: grass cuttings with compost, manure with urine, compost with manure…