Spring is for planting—wait, no! Fall is actually the best time for planting. As we look forward to warm, sunny spring days and see everyone in the neighborhood tending to their yards, we all get that urge to dig in. While it’s normal to feel excited about spring planting (and we do see a rush at the nursery then), fall is probably the better time to plant shrubs, trees, and perennials.

Ever heard of biochar? For most home gardeners, chances are that it’s a brand new term.

In short, biochar is a charcoal compound added to soil that makes it more fertile. Biochar has a long and complex history of use in indigenous farming throughout West Africa and the Amazon rainforest where the incredible results can be seen even today.

Although making charcoal may sound like a strange way to boost crop production, the concept was proven more than 2,000 years ago, where pre-Columbian farmers in South America added charcoal to the poor soils of the Amazon rainforest to create a rich, fertile soil.