biochar kiln

transform branches into enriched carbon soil amendments for a healthy biosphere

welcome to the monthly matinée, a retrospective of the appleturnover long-form films. first up is biochar kiln.

making biochar (a biologically enriched charcoal) from the branches and brush generated as we tend our gardens, orchards and forests, sets us all on our way to sequestering carbon, reducing woodsmoke, increasing the water-holding capacity, microbial life and nutrient density of the soil, being good partners to the trees and generally having a gorgeous time round the fire as humans are called so primally to do.

this film teaches the practical steps to making biochar in a kiln from our island's community kiln-share with historian and charcoal expert brian smallshaw and why, at this moment in time, it really matters.

you might also like these one-minute companion pieces to this film, wood ash + charcoal (the wood stove is a gardener’s companion), and the charcoal social/community soup that is charcoal-fired earth oven.

if you just can’t wait for the future matinées, look here for my films about the ducks, geese, and deep litter mentioned in the film, too.

as this january matinée is arriving belatedly – pardon me, apologies, is this seat taken? – do look for february’s child later on this month.

with enormous thanks for reading/watching/listening, and particular waving and teary-eyed gratitude to those of you who have subscribed to the paid variety, it means so much to me. see you sunday with a regular small work postcard and hopefully, wish me luck, a brand new short.