Paul;
Been working on this idea for making biochar for some time. First, get yourself an old ammo can from an army surplus store. Second, remove the rubber gasket inside the lid with a screwdriver. Third put it in the wood stove and make biochar.
In my direct experience you do not need to grind the biochar or make it smaller. The chunks that come out of the ammo can are perfect for going right into your garden. Just be sure you fertilize the garden according to a soil test. If you do not fertilize the garden properly, the biochar will absorb most of the available plant nutrients and depress crop production. That said, it takes a full five years for biochar to mature the microbiology in the soil. First year you won't see much change. Second year things look a little better. Third year things look significantly better. Fourth year crops really start to grow. Fifth year you will realize every row is placed too close together and every plant too close together. Sixth year, you will begin to think you're a first-class organic grower.
Uncle Bob is not my uncle.
Norm
