NOAA predicts another year of drought for much of the United States. And even those areas that appear to be out of drought have years of rainfall lack, so deep soil moisture and groundwater remain stressed.
BioChar, working together with soil biology, helps mitigate many of the problems associated with extreme weather conditions. Whether floods or droughts, BioChar helps improve soil structure, creates pore spaces for microbial life, and increases the nutrients available for plant uptake.
Home gardens, orchards, field crops, turf, and pastures benefit from the addition of BioChar. and biology. We don’t have the option of snowmelt across most of the West, so rain is critical.
BioChar, working together with soil biology, helps mitigate many of the problems associated with extreme weather conditions. Whether floods or droughts, BioChar helps improve soil structure, creates pore spaces for microbial life, and increases the nutrients available for plant uptake.
Home gardens, orchards, field crops, turf, and pastures benefit from the addition of BioChar. and biology. We don’t have the option of snowmelt across most of the West, so rain is critical.
Key Points
- Drought is persistent across most of the United States
- Predicted lack of rainfall this summer and less snowfall last winter add up to difficult growing conditions
- Cover crops and mulch retain more moisture in the soil
- BioChar, combined with biology, gives all growers an added buffer against drought
Water Retention for Successful Growing in All Soils
This is the year growers need every tool that increases water retention, soil structure, and biological resilience. BioChar, paired with biology, is one of the few soil amendments that buffers against weather extremes. It also improves nutrient availability and long-term soil health.
Water has been the limiting factor in many parts of the United States since 2012, according to NOAA data. We’ve tried to offset the decrease in snowpack and rainfall through irrigation. But that has brought with it declining groundwater and salinity issues.
We are experiencing a structural problem with water, not the occasional year of low precipitation. Soil moisture supports plant growth and is expected to decline each year over the foreseeable future
It’s not just about a lack of water, but also about when the rain falls and how hard. Most U.S. soils can’t absorb rainfall fast enough to keep it in the root zone. This is especially true during heavy storms. Improving infiltration rates is one of the most powerful drought-mitigation strategies available.
The intensity of storms has increased. Instead of getting 1 inch/hour in a downpour, we are now getting 1.5-2/inches/hour. Not a big difference? A storm that used to drop an inch now drops two. Soils can’t drink that fast. Most of it runs off instead of soaking in. We see it as erosion, dry soil in the root zone, and muddy streams.
If this is the future, we need a better solution. Even those areas that received gentle spring rains still face deep moisture deficits, the kind that take years, not weeks, to fix.
Water has been the limiting factor in many parts of the United States since 2012, according to NOAA data. We’ve tried to offset the decrease in snowpack and rainfall through irrigation. But that has brought with it declining groundwater and salinity issues.
We are experiencing a structural problem with water, not the occasional year of low precipitation. Soil moisture supports plant growth and is expected to decline each year over the foreseeable future
It’s not just about a lack of water, but also about when the rain falls and how hard. Most U.S. soils can’t absorb rainfall fast enough to keep it in the root zone. This is especially true during heavy storms. Improving infiltration rates is one of the most powerful drought-mitigation strategies available.
The intensity of storms has increased. Instead of getting 1 inch/hour in a downpour, we are now getting 1.5-2/inches/hour. Not a big difference? A storm that used to drop an inch now drops two. Soils can’t drink that fast. Most of it runs off instead of soaking in. We see it as erosion, dry soil in the root zone, and muddy streams.
If this is the future, we need a better solution. Even those areas that received gentle spring rains still face deep moisture deficits, the kind that take years, not weeks, to fix.
Cover Crops, Mulch, BioChar: A Moisture Retention System
Across much of the US, cover crops have been adopted as a water retention mechanism. But in some soils, even cover crops suffer. The use of fungicides, pesticides, and herbicides over the decades has taken its toll on soil biology. Without a robust, beneficial biological population, adequate moisture will support pathogenic bacteria and fungi. There are openings for phytophthora, fusarium, and pythium, to name a few pathogens.
Mulch isn’t just for home gardeners. Using a roller/crimper to terminate a cover crop keeps the beneficial microbes in your soil, retains cover over bare soil, and preserves soil structure. “Planting green” is one way to retain water in your soil. Tillage wipes out all the benefits of fertilization and cover cropping. We’ve all seen the dust rolling behind a spring disc; that’s topsoil, fertilizer, and beneficial microbes exiting the field.
Mulch isn’t just for home gardeners. Using a roller/crimper to terminate a cover crop keeps the beneficial microbes in your soil, retains cover over bare soil, and preserves soil structure. “Planting green” is one way to retain water in your soil. Tillage wipes out all the benefits of fertilization and cover cropping. We’ve all seen the dust rolling behind a spring disc; that’s topsoil, fertilizer, and beneficial microbes exiting the field.
We are aware of the regulations of Crop Insurance regarding cover crops. Termination can be done by roller-crimping, herbicide, tillage, or mowing. The key is to make sure the cover crop stops growing so it doesn’t interfere with the cash crop. Either roller-crimping or mowing retains soil structure and microbial abundance. Be sure to document your actions if you are in the Crop Insurance program. If there’s ever a problem, documentation saves you. Termination_Guidelines_Designed_6.28_10.24am_(002).pdf
BioChar, added to practices such as cover cropping and mulching, makes your fertilization protocol more effective. Charged BioChar adds nutrients that may be missing from the soil. Adding raw BioChar, such as our NAKED Char or other brands, can tie up nutrients and decrease nutrient availability for plant uptake in the short term.
If you have an abundance of manure, that is a valuable source of biomass for charging BioChar. As we are learning more about the salt content of most manures, it’s important to buffer that input with a BioChar blend. Manures are especially high in phosphorus and often have micronutrient imbalances. If you’re using salt or mineral blocks, there is a very good chance you will begin to see the effects of excess sodium (salinity issues).
BioChar absorbs salts, buffers nutrients, improves soil structure, and reduces leaching. These are the problems long-term manure application creates. BioChar, with the addition of biology, is the long-term counterbalance to long-term manure applications. It also increases water retention, so the biology can cycle nutrients to your plants faster.
If you have an abundance of manure, that is a valuable source of biomass for charging BioChar. As we are learning more about the salt content of most manures, it’s important to buffer that input with a BioChar blend. Manures are especially high in phosphorus and often have micronutrient imbalances. If you’re using salt or mineral blocks, there is a very good chance you will begin to see the effects of excess sodium (salinity issues).
BioChar absorbs salts, buffers nutrients, improves soil structure, and reduces leaching. These are the problems long-term manure application creates. BioChar, with the addition of biology, is the long-term counterbalance to long-term manure applications. It also increases water retention, so the biology can cycle nutrients to your plants faster.
BioChar With Biology Gives You a Buffer Against Drought
Biochar isn’t fertilizer. It isn’t compost. And it isn’t a quick fix.
After more than five decades of tillage, compaction, and nutrient mining, many soils simply can’t hold water or support biological life the way they used to. That’s why we’re constantly adding inputs just to keep plants alive.
So what is biochar?
It’s soil infrastructure—a permanent carbon framework that restores the physical and biological functions drought‑resilient soils depend on.
When paired with biology, biochar:
After more than five decades of tillage, compaction, and nutrient mining, many soils simply can’t hold water or support biological life the way they used to. That’s why we’re constantly adding inputs just to keep plants alive.
So what is biochar?
It’s soil infrastructure—a permanent carbon framework that restores the physical and biological functions drought‑resilient soils depend on.
When paired with biology, biochar:
- Creates pore spaces for microbes
- Improves soil structure
- Increases infiltration during heavy rain
- Holds water during drought
- Reduces nutrient leaching
- Supports mycorrhizal networks
- Increases nutrient availability
And because it remains in the soil as stable carbon, the benefits compound over time.
In heavily degraded soils, you may need multiple applications to rebuild enough structure for microbes to thrive. But once the biology returns, it works continuously—cycling nutrients, building organic matter, improving structure, and strengthening plant health.
Biochar fits anywhere plants grow: home gardens, orchards, field crops, turf, pastures, native plantings, and regenerative systems. Every one of these systems becomes more resilient with more water stored in the soil and more biological activity in the root zone.
That’s the buffer against drought: a soil that can absorb water when it comes, hold it when it’s scarce, and support biology that keeps plants functioning under stress.
In heavily degraded soils, you may need multiple applications to rebuild enough structure for microbes to thrive. But once the biology returns, it works continuously—cycling nutrients, building organic matter, improving structure, and strengthening plant health.
Biochar fits anywhere plants grow: home gardens, orchards, field crops, turf, pastures, native plantings, and regenerative systems. Every one of these systems becomes more resilient with more water stored in the soil and more biological activity in the root zone.
That’s the buffer against drought: a soil that can absorb water when it comes, hold it when it’s scarce, and support biology that keeps plants functioning under stress.
The Best American BioChar Company Products for Drought Buffering
We can assume drought in the forecast. Water has been a limiting factor for the last decade. The weather predictions don’t include more snow or gentle rains. A proactive approach to soil health is just good business. But which products work the best in which situations?
We know every growing situation is unique. It’s all about the soil, intended use, and soil management practices. These are our recommendations, based on years of field research.
Sports turf and commercial lawn professionals use our VITAL Blend 5M (liquid) as well as the granular formula. Why both? We want our products to fit into your existing management protocol. We also recommend Humate and Mycorrhizal Inoculant Plus for immediate results.
The same products the pros use work for home lawns and gardens. We also recommend GRATEFUL Blend (our nutrient-charged and microbially inoculated product) for a completely balanced soil with no work. Just topdress, water it in, and watch your plants take off. (link to industry page)
Agricultural operations have more options depending on the availability of charging materials. NAKED Char, charged with manure, compost, or other biomass, is a cost-effective way to incorporate BioChar into your protocols. NAKED Char 5M, our liquid BioChar is even more economical because it is concentrated and easily fits into any spraying operation.
All BioChar additions increase the availability of nutrients from your fertilizers for plant uptake. Even though drought is predicted for the foreseeable future, you can future-proof your lawn, garden, or fields with BiolChar.
We know every growing situation is unique. It’s all about the soil, intended use, and soil management practices. These are our recommendations, based on years of field research.
Sports turf and commercial lawn professionals use our VITAL Blend 5M (liquid) as well as the granular formula. Why both? We want our products to fit into your existing management protocol. We also recommend Humate and Mycorrhizal Inoculant Plus for immediate results.
The same products the pros use work for home lawns and gardens. We also recommend GRATEFUL Blend (our nutrient-charged and microbially inoculated product) for a completely balanced soil with no work. Just topdress, water it in, and watch your plants take off. (link to industry page)
Agricultural operations have more options depending on the availability of charging materials. NAKED Char, charged with manure, compost, or other biomass, is a cost-effective way to incorporate BioChar into your protocols. NAKED Char 5M, our liquid BioChar is even more economical because it is concentrated and easily fits into any spraying operation.
All BioChar additions increase the availability of nutrients from your fertilizers for plant uptake. Even though drought is predicted for the foreseeable future, you can future-proof your lawn, garden, or fields with BiolChar.
