Greening the Grass: Biochar for Lush, Sustainable Turf and Lawns

Turf grass is found on about 2% of all land in the United States. This includes your residential lawn, your business’s commercial landscape, the local golf course, parks, and your kid’s athletic field. While it may seem like a small %, turf grass is actually the largest irrigated “crop” in the United States, often requiring significant amounts of water and maintenance. What if you could make your “turf” more resilient, lower maintenance, and need less water? Those are some of the benefits of biochar!

The Benefits of Biochar for Turf

Biochar is a carbon-rich, lightweight material produced through the pyrolysis of organic matter, such as plant residues, agricultural waste, and forestry by-products. This ancient method of carbon sequestration has garnered renewed interest in sustainable agriculture and land management practices, particularly in turf management. When integrated into turf systems, biochar enhances soil properties by improving aeration, drainage, and nutrient retention. Its porous structure allows for increased water-holding capacity, reducing irrigation needs and promoting healthier root development. Biochar also helps mitigate soil compaction and increase microbial activity, leading to a more resilient turf ecosystem.

The significance of biochar in turf management lies in its potential to promote sustainable practices while addressing contemporary environmental challenges. Turf management is often criticized for its high water and chemical input requirements, which can lead to nutrient runoff and diminished soil health. By incorporating biochar, turf managers can reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers, as biochar can act as a slow-release nutrient reservoir. This decreases the ecological footprint of turf maintenance while contributing to carbon sequestration efforts, thus supporting climate change mitigation. The addition of biochar contributes to improved soil fertility and health, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that ultimately results in more robust and visually appealing turf. Through the adoption of biochar, turf management can transition towards a model that values long-term sustainability and environmental stewardship.

But what is Biochar?

The question should be what are “biochars” – plural? A biochar is the end product of burning, or pyrolysis of various organic materials, including anything wheat straw, peanut shells, wood chips, rice hulls, hardwood, softwood, crop residues, or anything organic. The term “biochars” acknowledges the diversity of end products that can be generated from different feedstocks. The source material plays a critical role in determining the characteristics and efficacy of the resulting biochar. For example, biochar made from wheat straw or peanut shells may exhibit different nutrient content and retention properties compared to hardwoods or softwoods. This variation affects its utility in soil amendment, carbon sequestration, and even as a filtration medium for wastewater treatment.

The pyrolysis process itself significantly influences the final properties of biochar. During pyrolysis, organic materials are thermally decomposed in an oxygen-limited environment, transforming them into solid biochar, while also generating gases, oils, and vinegars that are also valuable by-products. The temperature and duration of the pyrolysis process are key factors determining the structure and functionality of biochar. Higher temperatures tend to result in a more stable and carbon-dense product, making it more effective for long-term soil enhancement. Conversely, lower-temperature pyrolysis can yield biochar with greater surface area and enhanced nutrient-holding capacity. The interplay between feedstock choice and pyrolysis conditions creates a range of biochars, each with unique benefits tailored for specific applications in agriculture, environmental remediation, and sustainable land management.

What Types of Biochar Are There?

Biochar as a soil amendment can be made with many different feedstocks. The characteristics of each feedstock determine its best use. popularity as a sustainable soil amendment with numerous benefits. It’s produced through pyrolysis, a process that involves heating organic material in the absence of oxygen. Let’s delve into the various types of biochar based on different feedstocks and their unique benefits.

Biochar from Agricultural Waste

Biochar made from agricultural waste, such as food processing biomass, orchard and vineyard trimmings, and peanut shells, offers a sustainable way to recycle farm and processing residues. This type of biochar is rich in minerals and nutrients, which are beneficial for soil health. Creating biochar from agricultural waste diverts these valuable resources from the landfill. Some of these ag waste products are also used as animal feed, incorporated back into the soil with tillage, or chopped for mulch materials. With some of these uses ag waste feeds soil microbes, provides winter shelter for beneficial insects, and decreases soil erosion. You should think twice about using all this organic matter to make biochar.

Biochar from Hardwood and Wood Chips

Biochar produced from wood chips and hardwoods is known for its high carbon content and stability. This type of biochar improves soil structure, enhances water retention, and supports long-term carbon sequestration. Wood-based biochar is excellent for improving soil aeration and reducing compaction, making it ideal for various soil types. Always ask your biochar supplier if the wood has been sustainably sourced. Several certifications in North America ensure the wood is sourced sustainably and responsibly and include the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).

Biochar from Crop Residues

Crop residues, such as wheat straw and switchgrass, are valuable feedstocks for biochar production. Biochar from crop residual biomass is rich in organic matter and can significantly enhance soil fertility and microbial activity. This type of biochar is particularly effective in increasing soil’s water-holding capacity and promoting healthy root development. Consider closely the environmental impact of using crop residues for biochar. Those residues left on the field decrease soil erosion, feed soil microorganism communities with the decaying root matter, and are sites for beneficial insect pupae over winter.

Biochar from Softwood (e.g., Southern White Pine)

Biochar made from softwood like Southern white pine is characterized by its high porosity, which aids in water retention and nutrient-holding capacity. While it may have a lower nutrient content compared to hardwood biochar, it is still beneficial for improving soil structure and supporting microbial activity. That high porosity is one of the characteristics of Softwood biochar that makes it particularly valuable for nutrient management on turf. Inoculating it with humic and fulvic acid from leonardite that is sustainably sourced yields a biochar charged with energy for microorganism populations.

Comparison of Feedstock Properties and Benefits

Each type of biochar feedstock brings unique properties and benefits to the table:

The choice of biochar feedstock depends on specific soil needs and goals. Whether it’s improving soil fertility, enhancing water retention, or supporting carbon sequestration, there’s a biochar that fits the bill. Although all organic matter can be converted into nutrient-dense charged biochar, that wouldn’t necessarily increase food security, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, or even be sustainable. We need organic matter for many purposes and biochar is only one.

This is a Good Time to Order Your Biochar for Spring Application

Charging Biochar? Isn’t Biochar a Soil Amendment?

By itself, biochar has minimal nutritional value, primarily functioning as a luxury condo for soil microorganism communities and a storage facility for plants to source the essential nutrient needed for a particular stage of growth. To unlock its full potential, biochar must undergo a process known as “charging” or “inoculating,” where it is infused with nutrients and beneficial microbes before being applied to the soil. This process is essential because uncharged biochar can actually immobilize nutrients, binding them in a way that makes them unavailable to plants. By adding nutrients and beneficial microorganisms, we can effectively turn biochar into a powerhouse for soil health that supports plant growth.

When it comes to charging biochar, the choice of materials is crucial. Organic matter, such as compost and vermicompost, can infuse biochar with nutrients and beneficial bacteria. Compost provides a diverse range of nutrients, enhancing microbial activity that promotes healthy soil ecosystems. Similarly, vermicompost, produced by earthworms, is rich in vital nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and essential micronutrients, making it a great addition. These are both used for soil remediation along with manure and other biosolids.

The activity of earthworms creating channels provide habitat for microbes underground, make plant root development easier, and jumpstarts the nutrient cycle for strong plant growth aboveground. We have found through experimentation that the nutrient levels from leonardite are more complex than composts or manures, with high levels of humic and fulvic acid. Leonardite is a natural mineraloid with several beneficial properties for soil health and plant resilience. It is found on the soil surface in deposits near coal deposits. It’s soft, waxy, black or brown, and shiny. It’s a product of the oxidation of lignite deposits and is found around the world.

Leonardite is rich in humic acids – up to 90% humic acid, which is beneficial for soil conditioning and plant growth. It also improves soil fertility, soil structure, and moisture retention, and stabilizes pH. At American Biochar we use leonardite as the biochar charging agent because of its benefits and sustainability. The humates in leonardite act as a natural surfactant that improves the plant’s ability to assimilate nutrients in the soil. When you use our biochar products, such as VITAL Blend you are sequestering carbon while feeding the n essence, combining biochar with nutrient-rich leonardite creates a synergistic effect that can greatly improve soil fertility and plant health.

How Does This Apply to My Turf Project?

The application of biochar combined with humates offers remarkable benefits for turf health and resilience. Biochar, a stable form of carbon produced from organic materials through pyrolysis, enhances soil structure and fertility, while leonardite, a natural form of oxidized lignite rich in humic substances, improves nutrient availability and retention. Together, these amendments create an optimal environment for root development by improving soil aeration, increasing moisture retention, and fostering beneficial microorganism activity. Research indicates that the synergy of biochar and humates can significantly boost root growth, leading to a more robust and vigorous turf that is better able to withstand seasonal stressors such as drought and flooding.

The recommended standard application rate for a charged biochar product is a rate of 1 to 2 tons per acre, depending on soil conditions and the specific needs of the turf. But our VITAL Blend 5M covers a significantly larger piece of turf grass. For example, a 2.5-gallon container of VITAL Blend 5M can easily cover 2-3 acres of turf or field.

Early spring or fall are ideal times for application, allowing the amendments to integrate into the soil as the growing season progresses. Improvements in turf health, including enhanced root systems and overall resilience, can often be observed within a few weeks to a few months post-application, particularly as roots begin to establish themselves in the enriched soil. Regular annual applications can further enhance these benefits, making the combination of biochar and humates a powerful tool for any turf manager seeking to improve lawn quality and sustainability in the face of changing climatic conditions.

Proof of the Power of Biochar for Turf Health.

We get it, you need proof that a change to an American Biochar product will work for you. Here are a few examples of the before/after of biochar on lawn health, salt remediation, and bare ground turf grass germination.

Golf Course Before and After Application of VITAL Blend 5M

The bane of every greenskeeper is bald spots and weeds. Those are symptoms of poor soil health. Adding a liquid or granular biochar product to problem areas or the entire course remedies these problems. Every golfer loves a smooth fairway. Chemical fertilizer not only leaves bald spots but creates pollution in the water hazards that make the entire course less appealing

Soil Contamination Remediation with Biochar

Chemical buildup in soil is becoming a major concern in agriculture, orchards, and on the lawn in parks and other public areas. Remediation of those chemicals makes it safe for children, pets, and you to lay a blanket down on the grass and enjoy a picnic. There’s no better therapy than sitting under the trees and looking at a beautiful native garden on the edge of the lawn.

Lawn Resilience and Weed Control with Biochar

Many weeds will only grow in poor soil so when you increase the soil fertility, you’re creating a habitat that’s not hospitable to weeds – but perfect for a lush lawn or golf green.

Remediation of Salt Damage on Grass by Walkway with Biochar

Chemicals can do the number on grass. A long winter with icy sidewalks usually ends up with a dead lawn along the walkway. But biochar, with its billions of microscopic pores, traps the salt ions and holds them to be released gradually. Plants need sodium (salt), just is small doses and biochar holds it until microorganisms are signaled by the plant it needs the sodium nutrient. Biochar, micronutrients, microorganism communities, and each plant work together to create a beautiful lawn for your visitors walking by to see.

Lush Lawns Plus Carbon Sequestration with Biochar

With biochar and humates, you get both and it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Our micron-sized liquid biochar is produced using a process that maintains its hydrophilic properties. When biochar is completely dried it loses those properties and becomes hydrophobic. In other words, it takes a lot of water to rewet the char. How much water does it take to rewet a really dry loofah sponge? A lot. And you are trying to save water. Right?

The fixed carbon in biochar improves soil structure and remains in the soil for centuries. The active carbon from the humate is fuel for the microorganism communities in the plant root zone or rhizosphere. Our biochar blend also contains high levels of micronutrients and humic and fulvic acids.

We believe the beauty above comes from the science below. Whether you count beauty as crop yield, lush turfgrass, or beautiful flower beds the natural soil amendments of biochar and humates you can achieve your short-term goal and sequester carbon for generations to come.