Making biochar is super easy. You can simply light a brush pile from the top, tend it a little as it burns down, and then quench it with water. I prefer to use wood that is about 2 inches and down, stacked in alternating layers, with relatively straight sides. Lighting the brush pile from the top reduces smoke. Fish out the unburned pieces and scoot them to the side to finish. Start quenching the finished char as soon as possible. make sure the charcoal is completely put out before you rake it up and pile it.

Biochar serves many of the purposes of organic matter in the soil, but it never rots. It holds water, catches nutrients, but exchanges them with plants, darkens the soil (earlier warming in the spring) and modifies soil texture. I don't know of any substance that can match biochar at longevity and effectiveness. Making your own is easy, so stop burning your brush and start experimenting with biochar. I have a number of test beds and plots going and plan to put in a lot more. The results are so good so far, that I could use an almost endless amount of the stuff.

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