Bio char
can I activate bio char with a JMS method, or apply it early with IMO4?
The answer
iv had very good results with taking a old leaky bucket putting hardwood lump char in it and pouring unused JMS in there it leaks out slow i also use the bucket as a boys room in the garden after a few weeks of this i get really good growth on the char to add into the garden
From the KNF library
From the KNF library
Drafted by Claude from Office Hours and the books
·
Sep 2026
·
5 sources
Drake says JMS works early in bed prep, but it mostly feeds existing biology and does not deliver Master Cho's IMO microbes (Office Hours Ep. 14, 55:30).
On IMO4, Drake adds biochar at IMO4 or IMO5 so microbes can colonize it (Office Hours Ep. 8, 14:05). He also adds biochar and wood chips to foundation IMO4 for carbon (Office Hours Oct 2025, 32:37).
For a new bed, the library gives these steps:
- Ridge the bed, soak the biochar in fish amino acid, and add IMO4. Water in maintenance solution plus minerals. Finish with a Jadam microbe solution (Office Hours Ep. 20, 19:36).
- To activate biochar directly, soak it in fish amino acid and microbes for 15 minutes. Rake it into the top inch of soil with dolomite. Build toward 5% biochar over three seasons (Office Hours Ep. 17, 23:08).
The sources differ on charging. One soaks first (Office Hours Ep. 17, 23:08). Another says charged or uncharged matters little (Office Hours Ep. 8, 14:05).
The library gives no method for soaking biochar in JMS alone.
Sources
- 32:37 Office Hours (Oct 2025) — IMO3 Temperature Fixes, Pile Size, and FPJ for Bees · “add biochar and wood chips too for carbon.”
- 23:08 Office Hours Ep. 17 (Feb 2022) — Biochar Activation, Fish for FAA, and Fruit Sweetness Formula · “Soak it in fish amino acid and microbes 15 minutes, rake into the top inch of soil with dolomite, and build toward 5% biochar over three seasons.”
- 55:30 Office Hours Ep. 14 (Jan 2022) — JADAM Sulfur, Humic Acid From Compost, C90 Seawater Ratio · “JMS works early in bed prep, but it mostly feeds existing biology as a prebiotic rather than delivering Master Cho's actual IMO microbes.”
- 19:36 Office Hours Ep. 20 (Feb 2022) — Crystal Vortex Brewer, Pig Pen Sizing, WCA/WCP for People · “Ridge the bed, soak biochar in fish amino acid, add IMO4, water in maintenance solution plus minerals, then a Jadam microbe solution.”
- 14:05 Office Hours Ep. 8 (Nov 2021) — FAA (KNF Fuel), Water-Soluble Nutrients, Chick Feed Timing · “Add it at IMO4 or IMO5 so microbes can colonize it, and charged or uncharged doesn't matter much.”
1 more answer
Thank you! I’ll try the bucket with holes method after a 1 day JMS soak. My 7 year old son can’t wait to pee in the bucket, he’s very inspired by these natural farming methods.
Also discussed on Office Hours
IMO4 Degreaser, Pig Pen Biochar, Maltose Growth Stimulant
- 39:11 …i didn't do a first layer of six inches of biochar i did a light dusting of biochar in the top two…
- 39:25 …did not do the biochar in my pig pen either you don't need a six inches of biochar on the bottom…
- 39:31 …You do need some biochar, and when I say need, it is extremely helpful to mix some biochar into the top layer of wood chips.…
Know the answer? Members answer, ask, and get their questions onto the Sunday show.
Sign in Become a member