What is Biochar & Why Pachamama Regen Swears By It

September 20, 20255 min read

What is Biochar & Why Pachamama Regen Swears By It

If you’ve been hearing about biochar but aren’t quite sure what it is—or why regenerative farms like Pachamama are so excited about it—you’re in the right place. Biochar is more than just a fancy term for charcoal. It’s a soil-boosting, water-holding, carbon-storing powerhouse. And the best part? It’s simple, natural, and incredibly effective.

At Pachamama Regen, we’ve seen firsthand how biochar can transform soil, supercharge plant growth, and make farming more sustainable. Think of biochar as your soil’s best friend: it doesn’t just show up for the season—it sticks around for decades, working quietly to make everything grow better.

Biochar Compost for Vegetable Garden

What Exactly is Biochar?

Biochar is a carbon-rich, porous material made by heating organic matter—like wood, crop residues, or manure—in a low-oxygen environment through a process called pyrolysis. Unlike regular charcoal, biochar is designed specifically for soil.

It acts like a sponge: soaking up water, holding nutrients, and providing a cozy home for beneficial microbes. The result? Stronger plants, healthier soil, and a farming system that’s both productive and sustainable.

Alt text for image: “Closeup of biochar showing porous structure for soil health”

A Little History: Biochar and Ancient Wisdom

While biochar is making headlines today, it’s far from new. Indigenous farmers in the Amazon created terra preta (literally “black earth”) by mixing charcoal with food scraps and organic waste. These soils remain fertile centuries later, long after surrounding soils have been exhausted.

This ancient wisdom is the backbone of modern regenerative farming. Pachamama Regen embraces this principle—using biochar to restore soil health while respecting the cycles of nature.

Why Biochar Matters for Soil, Water, and the Planet

So, why does everyone talk about biochar like it’s the holy grail of soil health? Here’s the breakdown:

• Improves Soil Biology: Biochar’s porous structure provides a habitat for beneficial microbes, helping soil life flourish.

• Boosts Yields: Studies show biochar can increase plant growth and crop yields by up to 30%.

• Saves Water: Biochar retains water, reducing irrigation needs by up to 50%. Perfect for Aussie summers and dry regions everywhere.

• Cuts Chemicals: Farmers using biochar report up to 100% reduction in chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides.

• Locks in Carbon: Biochar sequesters carbon in the soil for hundreds—sometimes thousands—of years. That makes it a natural climate solution.

That’s not marketing hype—that’s real science meeting common sense.

Pachamama Regen Biochar and Biofertlisers

Meet Pachamama Regen's Biochar Products

At Pachamama Regen, we’ve designed biochar products that make it easy for anyone—farmers, gardeners, landscapers, or turf managers—to reap the benefits.

Pure Biochar

A premium soil amendment, perfect for gardeners and farmers who want a clean, versatile option. Just mix it with compost, fertiliser, or manure tea before applying.

Alt text: “Pure biochar granules improving soil structure”

👉 Shop Pure Biochar here

Biochar Premium Compost

A ready-to-use blend: 50% compost + 50% biochar. This mix delivers nutrients, microbial activity, and long-lasting soil structure. No need for complicated prep—just spread and grow.

Alt text: “Biochar premium compost boosting soil fertility”

👉 Explore Biochar Premium Compost

Biochar Grass Booster

Perfect for lawns, pastures, golf courses, and sporting fields. Biochar Grass Booster builds dense, resilient turf that needs less water and fertiliser.

Alt text: “Biochar grass booster creating lush green turf”

👉 Learn about Grass Booster

Gardening with Biochar

How to Use Biochar (The Easy Way)

Using biochar is simple, but here’s the golden rule: always charge it first.

1. Charge your biochar: Mix with compost, compost tea, or a liquid fertiliser like Biogold. Let it sit for 2–3 weeks.

2. Apply: Work it into your soil at about 5–10% by volume. For potted plants, mix directly into your potting blend. For lawns or paddocks, spread evenly before watering in.

3. Enjoy the benefits: Stronger growth, better water holding, less need for chemicals.

Think of charging like priming a sponge—you don’t want it soaking up nutrients meant for your plants.

Biochar and Regenerative Agriculture

Biochar doesn’t work in isolation—it shines brightest when paired with regenerative practices. At Pachamama Regen, biochar is part of a bigger picture:

• Cover crops to protect soil

• Holistic grazing to cycle nutrients naturally

• Minimal tilling to keep soil structure intact

• Organic inputs to build life rather than strip it away

If you want to learn more about regenerative farming principles, check out these guides:

• What is Regen Agriculture?

• From the Ground Up – Regenerative Agriculture

• Exploring the Potential of Regenerative Agriculture

Using Biochar for farming and agriculture

Beyond Farming: Other Uses of Biochar

Biochar isn’t just for farms and gardens—it’s finding uses across industries:

• Animal Farming: Added to feed or bedding to improve digestion and reduce odour.

• Water Filtration: Acts like activated carbon, filtering pollutants and toxins.

• Construction: Incorporated into building materials for sustainable, carbon-negative infrastructure.

• Waste Management: Converts agricultural or forestry waste into something valuable.

It’s no exaggeration to call biochar a circular solution—waste becomes resource, problems become solutions.

Ready to Transform Your Soil with Biochar?

Biochar is more than a product—it’s a movement towards healthier soils, stronger farms, and a cooler planet. Whether you’re running a regenerative farm, greening up your backyard, or managing large turf areas, biochar can deliver real results.

👉 Get in Touch - Product details and personalised advice.

👉 Shop Online - Latest products from Pachamama Regen

👉 Pachamama Regen Resources - Check out our Biochar Resources, How to Guides and Information

Let’s make your soil the healthiest it’s ever been—naturally, sustainably, and with a little help from biochar.

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