Why biochar should be part of every regenerative garden
Just Good Soil

Why biochar should be part of every regenerative garden

on  Oct 15, 2025  by  Justin Danko
Share
Tags
biochar carbonsequestration gardening organicgardening regenerativefarming regenerativegardening soilhealth upcycling

Why should biochar should be part of every regenerative garden. 

Biochar is a carbon-rich material made by heating organic matter (like wood or crop residues) in a low-oxygen environment—a process called pyrolysis. It’s similar to charcoal but specifically intended for use in soil. It has become increasingly popular in regenerative gardening and agriculture due to its wide-ranging benefits for soil health, crop growth, and environmental sustainability.

1. BIOCHAR IMPROVES SOIL FERTILITY AND CROP PRODUCTIVITY

How does biochar improve soil fertility and crop productivity?

Biochar enhances nutrient availability, water retention, and microbial activity in soil, leading to better plant growth and yields (Jagnade et al., 2023), (Peiris et al., 2019), (Shanmugaraj et al., 2024).

2. BIOCHAR SEQUESTERS CARBON AND FIGHTS CLIMATE CHANGE

How does biochar sequester carbon and fight climate change?

Biochar locks carbon in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years, making it a powerful tool for carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation (Keerthi,2024), (Borthakur et al., 2019), (Brassard et al., 2019).

3. BIOCHAR ENHANCES WATER RETENTION

How does biochar enhance water retention?

Its porous structure allows biochar to retain water and nutrients, making it especially valuable in dry climates or sandy soils (Borthakur
et al., 2019), (Shareef & Zhao, 2017)

4. BIOCHAR PROMOTES SOIL MICROBIAL LIFE AND REDUCES THE NEED FOR CHEMICAL INPUTS

How does biochar promote soil microbial life and reduce the need for chemical inputs?

Biochar creates habitats for beneficial microbes and reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, supporting long-term soil health (Ayaz et al., 2021), (Mylavarapu et al., 2013).

5. BIOCHAR SUPPORTS ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP AND RESILIENCE

How does biochar support environmental cleanup and resilience?

Biochar helps detoxify soils by adsorbing heavy metals and pesticides and can even be used to restore contaminated or degraded lands (Brassard et al., 2019), (Keske & Cotrufo, 2016).

Final Thoughts

Biochar is a simple yet powerful addition to any regenerative garden. It boosts soil health, captures carbon, conserves water, and supports sustainable food systems—all while recycling organic waste into something valuable.