The Biochar Handbook: A Practical Guide to Making and Using Bioactivated Charcoal

Price: $39.95 - $21.59
(as of Oct 12, 2026 08:14:49 UTC – Details)


With extensive research, real-world examples, and hands-on applications, this go-to guide offers a comprehensive look at the principles and practices of biochar—and all of its world-changing uses.
Like many human discoveries, biochar has likely been invented, lost, and reinvented multiple times. It can be found in the rich terra preta soils of the Amazon and in the ancient “dark earths” dotting Africa, Asia, and Europe. However, biochar isn’t just an archeological curiosity. In The Biochar Handbook, author Kelpie Wilson argues that the simple process of burning organic material in a low-oxygen, low-emission environment could be one of the most powerful tools we have to restore degraded soils and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
In accessible and authoritative prose, Wilson demonstrates that biochar is a low-tech but effective means of reducing wildfire risks, restoring soil carbon, managing manure, weaning farms off of toxic inputs, and producing the best compost ever made.
In this book, you’ll also find:
A pocket history of biocharStep-by-step instructions on making biochar for yourselfApplications for soil water retention, pest deterrence, compost enhancement, and moreInspiring examples of ecosystem restoration and improved forest managementLow-cost recipes, including Cultured Biochar and Sustainable Potting Soil
Wilson makes a compelling case that biochar is both simple to make and a potent solution to a host of knotty problems, both global and close to home. Whether you’re a gardener, homesteader, rancher, commercial farmer, permaculturalist, or forest manager, this book will show you how to put biochar to work, making you and your community more resilient as a result.

From the Publisher

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chelsea Green
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 27, 2024
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1645022307
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1645022305
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.52 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.01 x 0.58 x 9.99 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #402,573 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #26 in Waste Management #52 in Soil Science (Books) #123 in Biotechnology (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (52) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
Customers find the book chock full of extremely useful information, with one review noting it provides accurate information backed with references. They consider it a wonderful book that’s highly recommended, with one customer mentioning it will put them at the front of the regenerative movement.