Getting your seeds off to the best start this year

[SarzWix]

I used biochar last year, as I participated in a crowd-funding scheme for Oxford Biochar. Not sure if they're anything to do with our expert. However, i read a lot of their material before joining in, and environmentally it seemed like a good thing. Results for me, although not a proper scientific experiment, were that things grew better in the compost I'd mixed the biochar into than in the same compost without it.

Like Mikey, I prefer to mix my own compost, so I wouldn't buy it pre-mixed. I just mixed the pure biochar in with at a rate of a few handfuls to half a tub-trug of compost.

[Two_Sheds]

"Sorry Carbon Gold is a moderator/admin and you are not allowed to ignore him or her"


well, pppppppppppppppppt to that

[binley100]

........ And if anyone can share any top tips?

You're the expert, isn't that your job .........

*sorry Nicos, Zaz etc I'll make my way over to the norty step

[rustylady]

You're the expert, isn't that your job .........

*sorry Nicos, Zaz etc I'll make my way over to the norty step

I think the norty step is going to get quite crowded Bins

[binley100]

We better get the fridge restocked then

[VirginVegGrower]

Come on you lot - I am not into Biochar either, but am willing to look at "new" soil enrichers based on old ideas, which this is. Maybe look at making your own charcoal off their theory and then make your results known. Wood ash has been used for a long time. Years ago clinker was used on garden soils. Personally I would like to see Seer on here as I have a 1001 questions to discuss with them...but that's because I am trialing it on my soil. Other than this I won't be joining in this one, as I am not convinced - as yet - but will watch the space for those that question.

[Newton]

It's clever......

SarzWiz has added her credibility to the product. Based on that alone I would consider getting some.

What's clever is getting us talking about it. I doubt it would have come up as a topic otherwise.....

Very clever........

Norty tho!

[Snadger]

Oy you lot...............whatever happened to 'play nice'?

I know we all see ourselves as experts but maybe if we all take a chill pill we might learn summat..........

Has the forum got so 'Clannish' that we resent outside intrusion?

[Newton]

It's a forum! For....ummm.......sharing opinions. A very very good forum........

[Bigmallly]

I'm still a tad confused about the initial question (nothing new there you may say). Seeds have enough nutrients to get themselves started so is the question " What will we be sowing our seeds in" or "What will we be growing our plants in once potted on".............

[Snadger]

Its long been known that charcoal 'sweetens' compost and as far as I know has been used in bulb compost where bulbs are grown in pots without drainage holes for ages.
After having a look at some of the video's it appears to be a way of utilising a waste product (twigs and branches) and creating a useable soil conditioner from it.
I can't seem to find a stated N-P-K for it so assume its not a fertiliser?
It keeps being stressed that this is NOT charcoal but from what I can see it IS charcoal made from various woods?

I personally like the idea of the longevity of it and of course its organic. I don't know whether this is the case or not, but it appears to create work for small woodland enterprises as well, or am I seeing a glossed over image?

[VirginVegGrower]

As does oyster shell Snadger...sweeten bulb compost that is. I think your comments balance it rather well.

[veggiechicken]

What's clever is getting us talking about it. I doubt it would have come up as a topic otherwise.....

Actually, we have discussed BioChar already http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...har_62046.html

[alldigging]

I got given some samples of it. Tiny little packets of black powder. Gave some to someone on the plot and they put it on their clay patch. They reckoned it might have helped.

I could see how darkening the soil would make it absorb more heat... Would that help clay break down?

[Jeanied]

I would love to know which seeds to chit in the airing cupboard on damp kitchen paper and which ones not to! My big successes in the airing cupboard so far have been parsnip and parsley.