Biochar – sustainable soil for 2020

04.02.20 Tony Callaghan

It is clearer than ever the effect our actions have on the environment, from plastic use to car emissions and everything in between. As gardeners there are many ways we can reduce our carbon footprint and there is also a simple way that it can be offset.   Adding biochar to garden soil wi...

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What Makes Super Compost "Super"

06.12.19 Tony Callaghan

We talk a lot about Super Compost, SF60. What really makes it "Super" compared to everyday compost? It all about what's in the compost and the impact each part of the mix has on soil microbes, roots and soil fertility. We talk about each component and what it does in our earlier blog. Tod...

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Carbon capturing biochar

02.12.19 Tony Callaghan

Did you know 1Kg of biochar offsets 3.6 Kg CO2. Every gardener and farmer can help offset climate change by adding biochar to their soil Read on! It is clearer than ever the effect our actions have on the environment, from plastic use to car emissions and everything in between.  As ind...

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Presents for keen gardeners - what do you get them? 

02.12.19 Tony Callaghan

Presents for keen gardeners - what do you get them?  You could buy any number of tools, plants or ornaments. But deep down, you know they probably have enough of all these or will want to choose their own based on very detailed requirements. Trying to find the detail loses the surprise ...

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Biochar - what is it and how to use it

20.11.19 0 Comments Tony Callaghan

What is biochar and how is it made? Biochar is a form of charcoal used to improve compost and top soil. It is created by heating wood in the absence of oxygen - the process is called ‘pyrolysis’. (This differs to a normal biomass boiler that ‘combusts wood’ – ie burns the wood with oxygen). ...

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Biochar on BBC Gardeners World

20.11.19 0 Comments Tony Callaghan

Interested and happy to hear Nick Bailey from the BBC's Gardeners' World talking to Joshua Sparkes, Head Gardener at Forde Abbey, about using biochar in their extensive tulip planting Follow this link to the i-player: Episode 32,  fast forward to 24-30 mins.... You can read more...

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Biochar for spring/summer planting

20.11.19 Tony Callaghan

From bulbs bursting with colour to tasty fruits and beautiful lawns, October can be a very productive month in the garden if use effectively.   Dramatic lilies, big bold alliums, striking red tulips, delicate fragranced hyacinths and more can be planted in containers or directly into ...

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Uses of Biochar, Part 3: Farming & Agriculture

11.11.19 2 Comments Tony Callaghan

Welcome to part 3 in our series of five articles on the uses of biochar, charcoal and activated carbon, in this blog, we review the applications of biochar in cattle feed, farming and agriculture Biochar in cattle feed to aid digestion There is growing evidence that biochar helps improve ...

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Autumn lawncare using biochar

03.10.19 Tony Callaghan

By October grass growth begins to slow down, which is generally welcomed after regular mowing since spring, this is also a the time of year that grass can begin to look a little worse for wear, and the main problem is thatch, which is a the build up of debris and dead grass that sits above the surfa...

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Peat Free Compost

23.08.19 Tony Callaghan

Back in 2010, the UK government began a consultation process to phase out the use of peat in domestic gardens by 2020 in order to protect the environment and help to reduce greenhouse emissions. Gardeners relied on peat-based composts for decades as it was one of the best materials for growing du...

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