Biochar Demonstration Project: The 2016 BioChar Potato Crop

2016 Russet Potato Crop Discussion

Aside from the control-side plants attaining their maximum height a day or two before the biochar side, there were no significant observable differences between the two until the end of summer. July and August were very hot with several +100°F (+37.8°C) days; however, the Discovery Garden is watered at least twice weekly and all areas of the two beds seemed to receive adequate moisture throughout the hot summer. In spite of there having been no frost by the end of September, the control side had started to yellow and die down while the biochar plants remained green and robust. The control side was harvested a week before the biochar side, and may account for its slightly smaller potatoes -- they were on average one inch shorter 6" (15.2cm) than those grown in the biochar mix 7" (18cm). The photos show quite a few more large potatoes grown in the biochar soil than in the control soil. The total weight of the potatoes was nearly the same -- 46lb 2oz (21kg) for the control side and 47lb (21.3kg) for the biochar side. 120 potatoes were dug from the control side, 92 from the biochar side. We found three blemished potatoes from the control side, but no scabs or blemishes from the biochar potatoes. Potatoes from both sides baked side-by-side were found virtually identical in flavor and texture. Biochar may have contributed to keeping the plants on that side green longer than those on the other side, but we can’t be sure. When the potatoes were harvested, both soils seemed to have about the same moisture content, but that variable was not measured accurately.

Biochar Side Control Side

October 13, 2016

Potatoes were then spread out by size and counted.

Biochar: 47lb (21.3kg); 95 potatoes; 1" (2.54cm) to +12" (30.5cm); avg size, 7" (18cm)

Control: 46lb 2oz (21kg); 120 potatoes; 1" (2.54cm) to 11" (28cm); avg size, 6" (15.2cm)

October 11, 2016

Potatoes were washed then allowed to dry.

October 11, 2016

During harvest, we noticed there seemed to be more earthworms on the biochar side, but that would be difficult to accurately determine.

October 11, 2016

Back on August 23, a photo shows one or two dead potato plants in the east edge

of the biochar side. Today during harvest, we found several walnuts and hazelnuts

there and speculate that squirrels burying their winter food supplies may have

accidentally cut the stems of a couple potato vines.

October 11, 2016

2016 Harvest for 2016 completed!

October 11, 2016

There were some good-sized potatoes on the biochar side. Was it the extra week or something else?

October 11, 2016

Potatoes were in excellent condition and ranged from 1" (2.5cm) to over 12" (30.5cm) in size.

October 11, 2016

Although it has not yet frosted, the plants look like they

will grow robustly until nipped, so we went ahead and harvested the biochar side today because we didn't want to allow it another extra week of growth.

October 4, 2016
Control side harvested. Soil moisture content was uniform throughout the

bed, and a number of earthworms were present. Potatoes were generally in good condition.

Will harvest other side next week. Plant growth on that side has not slowed.

September 25, 2016

The skins were still a little soft, so we left the harvest off for another week.

The two potatoes taken, however, were of good size and quality. The larger was 8" (250mm) and the smaller 6.5"(165mm). Total weight was 1lb7oz (770g)

September 25, 2016
We harvested a couple from the control side to check for skin hardness.

August 23, 2016
Potato plants beginning to spill out over the sides.
Water restricted to start drying soil out and harden tubers.
Control bed beginning to yellow.