How Homegrown Charcoal May Get Your Garden Through A Drought
You've probably heard of compost – that thick chocolate-colored
stuff that's an organic gardener's best friend and supplies
plants with all kinds of succulent nutrients. But what about
biochar? It's another ancient farming material made from slow-
burned wood (also known as charcoal) that holds nutrients and
water into soil without them draining away. And lately it has
enjoyed a certain revival because it can also pull and store the
carbon in greenhouse gases from the air. Everyone from
California grape growers to home gardeners on YouTube is trying
it out. Biogeochemist Caroline Masiello is pretty excited about
biochar, especially what it means in an era when water resources
are swiftly diminishing. "There's no question that there's been
an explosion of interest in this," says Masiello. "And it's
becoming clear that the water cycle benefits of biochar are at
least as important, especially in drought-prone regions." But
there's a catch. As Masiello a