TerraTonic Biochar Compost Booster

Tailored formulas using biochar and microorganisms to accelerate the decomposition of specific organic waste.

Experience Faster, Better, and More Nutrient-Rich Composting with Biochar in Compost

TerraTonic Biochar Compost Booster is a line of biochar products supercharged with live microbes and their foods to:

  • Accelerate composting process
  • Improve aeration and moisture
  • Compost odor control
  • Reduce emissions from compost
  • Enhance soil microbe activity
  • Retain nutrients and compost quality
  • Protect the environment

TerraTonic Biochar in Compost | Booster Benefits

Accelerates Composting

TerraTonic Biochar Compost Booster accelerates composting, enhances stability, and improves compost quality. Biochar in compost has a porous structure that promotes microbial activity, speeding up decomposition.

Enhanced Microbial Activity

Unlock natureโ€™s full potential with biochar and compost, a game-changer in boosting microbial activity for richer, livelier compost. Experience a thriving garden ecosystem as biochar creates the perfect habitat for beneficial microorganisms to flourish.

Improved Aeration and Moisture

Thanks to its porous nature, TerraTonic Biochar Compost Booster adsorbs and retains oxygen and moisture in the compost. This supports the necessary conditions for efficient decomposition by microorganisms.

Retained Nutrients and Compost Quality

TerraTonic Biochar effectively captures and retains the plant nutrients present in organic materials, preventing them from leaching away and preserving them in the compost. This leads to the production of nutrient-rich compost that supports optimal plant growth, improving the overall quality of the compost.

Reduced Odor & Emissions

Incorporating TerraTonic biochar in compost can help mitigate odors and reduce the release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane. Biochar acts as compost odor control, adsorbing and minimizing the emission of volatile compounds that contribute to unpleasant scents.

Conserved Environment

Biochar and compost serve as a potent tool for conserving the environment, acting as a long-term carbon sink by sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and locking it into the soil. This effectively reduces greenhouse gas levels, combating climate change with just the help of organic fertilizers infused with biochar.

Using TerraTonic Biochar in Compost

General Guide

For Your New Compost Pile

If youโ€™re setting up a new compost pile, mix 5-10% of TerraTonic Biochar Compost Booster by volume, ensuring itโ€™s spread evenly between the layers of your compost material.

For Your Existing Compost Pile

For those looking to enrich an already existing compost pile, simply sprinkle in an additional 3-5% of the Compost Booster by volume.

To maximize benefits, we recommend lightly watering the biochar and compost after adding the TerraTonic Biochar. Additionally, make it a routine to aerate or turn over the compost once every week.

For Your Compost Mix

Blend one part TerraTonic Biochar with one part of your finished compost. To this mixture, add five parts soil, creating a nutrient-dense medium ideal for gardening.

For Manure Composting

For animal waste treatment, TerraTonic Biochar is charged with a group of beneficial microorganisms and their foods, specifically selected to target common organic matter found in animal waste. These beneficial bacteria synergize the biochar, offering accelerated decomposition, compost odor control, and high-quality biochar fertilizer.

TerraTonic Biochar 99%

Live Bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, and Trichoderma harzianum)

A horse smelling manure

For Plant Waste Composting

For plant waste, such as yard trimmings and crop residues, the TerraTonic Biochar is charged with billions of functional microorganisms and their foods, which increases the microorganism population in compost piles. These active microorganisms can produce enzymes, such as cellulase, protease, amylase, and lipase, which generate earlier decomposition.

TerraTonic Biochar 99%

Live Bacteria (Bacillus subtills and Pseudomonas putida)

A wheelbarrow full of garden waste

Custom Biochar Soil Inoculation

What is biochar primarily used for? It is used to restore soil and environmental health. We optimize biochar, a natural organic soil inoculant, by enriching it with beneficial microbes and nutrients. Healthy soil is essential for sustainable agriculture, and our custom biochar blend is designed to revitalize your soil. Here are the benefits of biochar in compost and soil:

  • Tailored Nutrient Content: Our custom biochar blend allows you to select a unique combination of nutrients that perfectly addresses your soilโ€™s specific needs.
  • Enhanced Soil Structure: The porous structure of biochar improves soil aeration, drainage, and water retention, creating a healthier environment for root growth and nutrient uptake.
  • Pathogen Suppression: Custom biochar alters the microbial community in your soil, transforming harmful pathogens into beneficial microorganisms. This natural defense reduces the need for pesticides, ensuring natural pest control.
  • Reduced Fertilizer Dependency: As a superior organic soil amendment, our custom biochar blend helps soil retain nutrients longer, lowering the reliance on non-natural fertilizer products.
  • Long-term Carbon Sequestration: Biochar is rich in carbon, and its structure resists decomposition, enabling it to sequester carbon in the soil for an extended period. This is what makes biochar in compost one of the best organic soil amendments to help combat climate change.
white mycelium spreading through the substrate of a seedling
Compost pile and heat rising from the pile

Frequently Asked Questions About Biochar in Composting

Biochar in compost is a distinct type of charcoal that is rich in organic carbon, making it an ideal addition to compost piles. When incorporated into the composting process, biochar acts as a physical carrier for microorganisms, providing them with a habitat to thrive and multiply. This increased microbial activity leads to accelerated composting, allowing organic matter to break down more efficiently and effectively. As a result, biochar in compost enhances the composting process, yielding a nutrient-rich soil amendment that is perfectly suited for improving soil health and fertility.

The incorporation of biochar and composting processes has been shown to have numerous benefits, including:

  • Improved soil structure and fertility: Biochar in compost can help to create a more porous and well-structured soil environment, which can improve soil fertility and support healthy plant growth.
  • Increased crop yields and plant growth: Biocharโ€™s ability to improve soil structure and fertility can lead to increased crop yields and improved plant growth.
  • Enhanced soil water-holding capacity and drought tolerance: Biochar can help to retain soil moisture, reducing the need for irrigation and improving drought tolerance.
  • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions from soil: Biochar has been shown to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide from soil, which can help mitigate climate change.
  • Potential to sequester carbon in soil: Biocharโ€™s ability to remain stable in soil for hundreds or even thousands of years makes it a promising tool for long-term carbon sequestration.

The recommended ratio of biochar in compost materials varies depending on the specific application. A general guideline is to add 3-10% biochar by volume to the compost mixture.

You can easily combine biochar and composting with these options:

  • Sprinkle between layers: Sprinkle the biochar between layers of organic materials, such as leaves, vegetable scraps, and grass clippings. This will help distribute the biochar evenly throughout the pile and allow it to interact with the microorganisms, breaking down the organic matter.
  • Mix with finished compost: Alternatively, you can mix the biochar with the finished compost before applying it to your soil. This will help distribute the biochar evenly throughout the compost and allow it to provide long-term benefits to your soil.

Remember to water the piles regularly to maintain optimal moisture levels and turn the piles regularly to ensure even aeration and mixing of the organic matter.

Yes, you can use wood biochar as a partial substitute for some of the โ€œbrownโ€ materials in your compost pile. However, itโ€™s still important to include some traditional โ€œbrownโ€ materials like leaves or straw to provide a balanced carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.

Yes, wood biochar in compost can be a valuable addition to vermicomposting.

Benefits:

  • Improved worm health: Wood biochar and compost can provide a habitat for beneficial microorganisms, supporting worm health and growth.
  • Enhanced nutrient cycling: Biocharโ€™s porous structure can increase the surface area for microbial activity, promoting nutrient cycling and availability.
  • Reduced odors: Biochar can help to absorb and break down organic compounds for compost odor control in the worm compost.

Considerations:

  • Initial pH adjustment: Biocharโ€™s alkaline property may require an initial pH adjustment in the worm compost to ensure optimal conditions for worms.
  • Dose and ratio: Use a balanced ratio of biochar and compost (typically 1-5% biochar) to avoid overwhelming the worms.
  • Monitor worm activity: Regularly monitor worm activity and adjust the biochar dose as needed to maintain optimal conditions.

Type of biochar: Choose wood biochar thatโ€™s sustainably made for worm composting, as some biochar may contain contaminants.

Wood biochar in compost is so valuable due to its unique properties, including:

  • High surface area: Biochar has a large surface area, which allows it to interact with microorganisms and other organic matter in the compost pile, promoting a healthy and diverse microbial community.
  • High porosity: Biocharโ€™s porous structure can help retain water and nutrients, making it an effective bulking agent that helps to maintain optimal moisture levels in the compost pile.
  • pH buffering: Biochar has a natural pH buffering capacity, which helps to stabilize the pH of the compost pile and prevent extreme fluctuations that can harm microorganisms.
  • Nutrient retention: Biocharโ€™s porous structure can retain nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making them more available to microorganisms and plants in the composted material.
  • Microbial habitat: Biochar provides a habitat for microorganisms, which can colonize its surface and help to break down organic matter more efficiently.
  • Carbon sequestration: Biochar can store carbon in the soil for long periods, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to climate change mitigation.
  • Reduced odor: Biochar in compost has been shown to ensure compost odor control by absorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and reducing the growth of odor-causing microorganisms.
  • Pathogen reduction: Biochar has been found to reduce the presence of pathogens, such as E. coli and Salmonella, in compost by inhibiting their growth and survival.

To make wood biochar suitable for co-composting, itโ€™s essential to ensure that it is produced from sustainable sources and meets certain quality standards. Some key considerations include:

  • The biochar in compost should be produced from hardwoods or softwoods that are free of contaminants and pesticides. We offer alternative organic insecticides here.
  • The biochar should be activated through pyrolysis at high temperatures (typically above 400ยฐC) to create a stable and porous structure.
  • The biochar should be tested for contaminants, such as heavy metals, before use in composting.

By incorporating wood biochar and compost, you can create a more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly composting system that benefits both the environment and your crops.

When it comes to co-composting, not all biochars are created equal. To get the most benefits from biochar and compost, look for high-quality products that meet specific criteria. Here are some key characteristics to consider for biochar in compost:

  • Sustainable source: Opt for biochars made from sustainable sources, such as wood or agricultural waste, to minimize environmental impact and support eco-friendly practices.
  • High surface area: High-quality biochars should have a large surface area, which allows them to interact effectively with microorganisms and other organic matter in the compost pile.
  • Pore volume: A high pore volume ensures that biochar in compost can retain water and nutrients, making it an effective bulking agent that helps maintain optimal moisture levels in the compost pile.
  • Toxin-free and heavy metal-free: Biochars should be free from harmful toxins and heavy metals, which can harm microorganisms, reduce accelerated composting, and contaminate the composted material.
  • Activated through pyrolysis: High-quality biochars should be produced through pyrolysis at high temperatures (typically above 400ยฐC) to create a stable and porous structure.