Okay, horticultural charcoal does not absorb odors, enrich or purify soil, or ward off any insect (more on Myths of Horticultural Charcoal in Gardening).   So, what good does horticultural charcoal do in gardening?

Continue reading What Can Horticultural Charcoal Do in Gardening?

Charcoal has been used for horticultural purposes for at least two thousand years. Archaeological researches have come up with evidence of charcoal being used as a soil ameliorator in the Amazon Basin since around the time of Christ (Check here for more on Terra Preta – Amazonian dark earth).

Continue reading Horticultural Charcoal for Gardening

Many of us have heard of the value of horticultural charcoal in gardening, not only that charcoal could retain moisture, but also some other amazing functions such as absorbing odors, purifying water, and warding off bugs and slugs. Many of these are not true, and those vendors, who have misled their customers with exaggerated, untruthful claims in their ads, are responsible for part of this confusion.   Continue reading Myths of Horticultural Charcoal in Gardening

While someone may suggest saving the leftover charcoal after a barbecue gathering for gardening use, another may believe that the use of filtering charcoal can yield better performance in purifying the potting soil. None of these is either feasible or true, but only an urban myth of horticultural charcoal. Not all charcoal are created equal. And horticultural charcoal cannot substitute by either barbecue charcoal or filtering charcoal.   Continue reading Horticultural Charcoal – Can be Substituted by Barbecue Charcoal or Filtering Charcoal?