Make Terra Preta yourself

Terra Preta comes from Portuguese and means “black earth”. It is native to the Amazon region. For plants, the black earth offers a particularly fertile basis for flourishing splendidly and for high-yielding harvests. Export is forbidden, which is why specialist retailers usually refer to some kind of dark earth as "Terra Preta". However, if you want to benefit from the “right” black earth, you can easily do it yourself. With the right instructions, making it is child's play.

Why Wonder Earth?

The black earth, which tends to be dark brown in color, has the ability to store nutrients for a particularly long time like no other type of earth. It has a significantly higher humus content than European soil, which therefore has to be "treated" regularly with nutrient-rich fertilizers. With the use of Terra Preta, additional fertilization is unnecessary. In addition, no carbon monoxide or methane gas is released, which has a gentle effect on the climate. Because numerous practical experiences show noticeably higher harvest yields with the black soil, it is referred to as miracle soil, especially among self-growers of fruit and vegetables.

Areas of application

As enthusiastic as many hobby gardeners are about the black earth from the Amazon, one thing is certain, however, that it is not for everyone Use / use suitable. Here are some things to consider before making:

Private use

It only makes sense to use it in private gardens because microorganisms / soil organisms are active in the soil and are not restricted by mineral fertilizers, pesticides or heavy equipment.

Note the pH value

You should not use the black soil for growing plants that are low for growing need pH (acidic environment) of the soil, such as peas, beans, lentils and some Herbs. Due to the charcoal it contains, black earth increases the salt content and thus automatically the pH value as well.

Young plants and sowing

Because the "miracle earth" stores a lot of nutrients from the soil and is generous to the plants releases, this can lead to problems with growth or germination in young plants and seeds to lead. As a rule, the cultivation of young plants is based on nutrient-poor soil. Too many nutrients can lead to oversupply and, in the worst case, lead to death.

Soil quality

Experts mostly agree that Terra Preta has hardly any effect on high-quality soils. There can be only minor savings in the areas of irrigation and fertilization. The black Amazon soil offers an ideal solution for sandy, barren, nutrient-poor soils on which plants grow poorly or not at all. It is also ideal for heavily consuming plants that quickly leach out normal soil.

Make Terra Preta yourself

Required materials:

• Garden waste
• Kitchen waste
• Charcoal
• Stone meal
• Effective microorganisms (available in gardening shops and on the Internet)
• A large bucket with a lid
• Something to mingle and pound, such as a log
• Conventional garden soil

NOTE: Numerous experts advise against the use of conventional barbecue charcoal, because it often comes from the origin as well as quality are unclear and pollutants may be contained, which have a negative effect on the plants impact. It is better to use special biochar to make Terra Preta or burn wood yourself.

Instructions:

• Cut garden and kitchen waste into small pieces and put in a bucket
• Add good quality charcoal (about ten percent of the total volume should be charcoal)
• Add some stone flour (supply of minerals)
• Mix well and mash the mass (similar to pounding sauerkraut)
• Add effective microorganisms for fermentation (top layer should be well covered)
• Close the bucket well with the lid
• Recommended ambient temperature: at least 15 degrees Celsius
• Waiting time: two weeks
• Pour off seeping juices in between (are ideal as fertilizers for watering)

TIP: When you open the bucket at the latest, an unpleasant smell will arise. If the bucket is not hermetically sealed, it can escape and be extremely annoying. Therefore, do not place the bucket close to common areas or windows and doors.

Further processing:

Once the waiting time has elapsed, the mass is processed as follows to produce an earthy consistency:

• Spread the mass evenly in a bed (there should be direct contact with the soil so that further microorganisms favor the enrichment of the future black earth)
• Spread garden soil over the poured out mass (must be completely covered with garden soil)
• Put foil or tarpaulin over it (protects against rain)
• Ideal location: warm, dry
• Waiting time: around six months

Spread Terra Preta

After the six-month waiting period, the once fermented mass has developed into a humus-rich substance. It can now either be worked into the ground on the spot, stored or transported to another bed. It is important that the upper normal garden soil is mixed with the humus mass before spreading or working into the soil. The best way to do this is to stir it with a small scoop or a rake. Between 0.5 and 1 kilogram of black earth are calculated per square meter of bed.

Instructions for soil preparation

If the black soil is moved to another bed, soil preparation is recommended in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. Proceed as follows:

• Change of soil before planting: Dig the garden soil as deep as future plant hole depths / widths are planned
• In the case of planted soils, dig a few centimeters of soil around the plants (must not come into contact with roots)
• Pour Terra Preta into the planting hole or all-round channel
• New plantings can be placed in black soil after a waiting period of around 14 days
• Always press the earth lightly (so that water can be absorbed and stored well)

Make Terra Preta in a compost heap

If you have a larger compost heap and want to make significantly more black Amazon soil yourself, you can use your compost on the spot. That is how it goes:

• Pound down partially and / or completely rotted compost
• Spread the charcoal generously over the mass (crushed charcoal or use it as a powder - amount: 10 percent)
• Mix 2 deciliters of effective microorganisms per 10 liters of water (so much water that it is enough to seep onto compost soil)
• Place tarpaulin / film over compost (so that microorganisms and developed humus are not washed out with rainwater)
• The ideal time to start: spring / early summer, when the sun is getting warmer
• Waiting time: six months
• Then simply mix in normal garden soil in the bed

Shelf life and storage

After the waiting period, when the black Amazon soil is ready for use but not applied, it can be stored. To do this, it must be filled into containers that offer the best possible air seal. The location should be dry, light and pleasantly cool, but in any case frost-free.

Terra Preta has a shelf life of several years, regardless of whether it is stored or distributed in the bed. During the shelf life it does not lose the positive properties that distinguish it from normal soil.