Why Biochar
Biochar is a type of charcoal that is produced through the pyrolysis of organic materials, such as wood chips, crop residues, or manure. Unlike traditional charcoal, which is used as a fuel source, biochar is used as a soil amendment to improve soil health and fertility.
Biochar has a high carbon content and remains stable in soil for hundreds or even thousands of years, making it a potentially powerful tool for carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. When incorporated into soil, biochar can:
Improve nutrient and water retention
Enhance soil structure
Support the growth of beneficial soil microorganisms
Reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
Lower greenhouse gas emissions by improving soil health and reducing the need for intensive tillage
Ongoing research continues to refine the best practices for producing and applying biochar, as well as its long-term effects on soil and carbon storage. Biochar shows strong promise as a sustainable and effective tool for soil management and climate action. For up-to-date information, see Biochar International.
Biochar at Home: TLUD Systems
At CREATE Ecology, we produce biochar for our gardens using a TLUD (Top-Lit Updraft) biochar system. TLUD stoves are typically metal or ceramic containers with a top opening for fuel and a perforated bottom for airflow.
Here’s how it works:
Organic material (wood chips, sawdust, agricultural waste) is loaded from the top and ignited.
As the material burns, gases are drawn down through the bed by the air intake at the bottom.
The hot gases ignite the remaining material, producing biochar as a byproduct.
Benefits of a TLUD system:
Produces both biochar and usable heat for cooking or space heating
Relatively simple and inexpensive to build and operate
Suitable for a variety of settings, from rural farms to urban gardens
Reduces organic waste while generating renewable energy
Overall, TLUD systems are a sustainable, efficient, and practical way to produce biochar while contributing to soil health and climate action.
If you’d like to learn more about biochar or discuss how to incorporate it into your garden or land management projects, Create Ecology is here to help.