permaculture

[venaurafarm <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

On 10/8/2012 11:28 AM, Toby Hemenway wrote:

> plants. It contains N primarily in the form of ammonia, and the usual
> bacteria are present in the gravel beds (which are best made with
> lava rock or some other high-edge substance) to convert it to nitrite
> and nitrate.

Could biochar be used as a component, along with gravel or lava rock  in 
the growing medium? It seems like a perfect ingredient, absorbs toxins, 
retains nutrients.

Lava rock has a very high carbon footprint and may contain toxins: it is 
sometimes manufactured in kilns fired with toxic petrochemical waste or 
by products or flammable industrial waste - or so I hear - maybe this 
has changed. Mine the rock to be converted to lava rock, fire it, store 
and ship it in bulk or bagged. High carbon footprint.

LL