Permanent Soil Carbon

Best Biochar for Gardens: Permanent Soil Conditioner That Boosts Water Retention, Microbial Habitat & Nutrient Holding Capacity Buy on Old Cobblers Farm

Updated April 2026 By the Old Cobblers Farm Team

Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Bio Char

by Wicked Organics — Littleton, NH

—
N-P-K Ratio
"The only product in the Wicked Organics lineup that permanently transforms soil structure. Biochar's stable carbon matrix lasts hundreds of years, continuously improving water retention, cation exchange capacity, and microbial habitat long after every other amendment has decomposed."
Permanent
Duration in Soil
100%
Stable Carbon
1x
Application — lasts centuries
4 Sizes
5, 10, 15, 20 lbs
♾️

Permanent Soil Improvement

Biochar carbon does not decompose. A single application creates permanent improvements to soil structure, water holding capacity, and nutrient retention that last for centuries.

💧

Water Retention & Drainage

Biochar's porous structure holds water in sandy soils while improving drainage in clay soils. It moderates soil moisture in both directions — reducing irrigation needs and preventing waterlogging.

🦠

Massive Microbial Habitat

One gram of biochar has the surface area of a tennis court. This porous network houses billions of beneficial microbes, dramatically increasing biological activity in the root zone.

📊

Increases CEC Permanently

Cation exchange capacity determines how well soil holds nutrients. Biochar increases CEC permanently — nutrients stay in the root zone instead of leaching past the roots.

🔄

Pre-Charge with Compost

For best results, mix biochar 50/50 with compost and keep moist for 10+ days before applying. This "charges" the pores with nutrients and microbes so it hits the soil ready to perform.

🌱

Carbon Sequestration

Biochar locks carbon in soil for centuries instead of releasing it as CO₂. Every application is a permanent carbon sink — gardening that actively fights climate change.

✅

Universal Soil Amendment

Benefits every soil type, every crop, every growing setup. Add to garden beds, raised beds, containers, potting mixes, orchards, and compost systems.

🇺🇸

Trusted by 20,000+ Growers

Developed in Littleton, New Hampshire. Sold nationwide on Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and theoldcobblersfarm.com.

Derived FromPyrolyzed biomass / biochar (100%)
Item FormGranular char
Release SpeedN/A (soil conditioner)
Application Rate5–10% by volume in root zone | 1 lb / 100 sq ft (light) | ~4 cu ft / 100 sq ft (heavy)
MethodWork into top 4–6" of soil; pre-charge with compost for best results
Frequency1x application — permanent soil improvement
Sizes5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb
SupportsAll plants — soil conditioner, not crop-specific
SetupsGarden beds, raised beds, containers, potting mixes, orchards, field rows, compost blending
What We Love
✓ Permanent soil improvement — lasts centuries, not seasons
✓ Improves water retention in sandy soils, drainage in clay soils
✓ Massively increases microbial habitat and biological activity
✓ Permanently increases cation exchange capacity (nutrient holding)
✓ Carbon sequestration — gardening that fights climate change
Worth Noting
— Not a fertilizer — provides no NPK nutrition on its own
— Best results require pre-charging with compost — adds a step
Buy on Old Cobblers Farm →
Available in 5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb
Feature Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Bio Char Premium Biochar Soil Conditioner Char Bliss Premium Biochar Premium Organic Biochar (B.O.B.) BioChar DG Organic Soil Amendment Inoculated Biochar Biochar Blend Soil Amendment Premium Biochar Soil Enhancer Original Biochar Biochar Organic HumiChar Organic Biochar HumiChar Blend Biochar Blend Organic Biochar Horticultural Char Compost/Char Mix CarbonBoost Blend
NPK N/A (OMRI Listed) N/A (OMRI Listed) N/A (>70% organic carbon) N/A (DG granule format) N/A (pre-loaded with microbes) 1-0.4-1 N/A (100% organic charcoal) 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0.5-0.5-0.5 0-0-0
Phosphorus 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.5% 0.0%
Potassium 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.5% 0.0%
Form Granular char
Sizes 5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb 1 cu ft 10 lb, 22 lb 40 lb 40 lb 40 lb 1 cu ft 40 lb 2 qt 1 cu ft 1 cu ft
Release Speed N/A (soil conditioner)
The Competition

Premium Biochar Soil Conditioner

by Wakefield BioChar
N/A (OMRI Listed)
N-P-K
Price$14–$18 / 4 qt; $30–$39 / 1 cu ft
**Wakefield BioChar is the clear market leader** with the widest retail distribution across all major retailers. The Andersons BioChar DG is differentiated by its dispersible granule format for lawns. FOOP and Organic Mechanics add pre-inoculation as a premium differentiator. Pure biochar pricing ranges from roughly $1–$2/quart.

Char Bliss Premium Biochar

by Plantonix
N/A (OMRI Listed)
N-P-K
Price$15–$18 / 8 qt; $35–$45 / 1 cu ft
**Wakefield BioChar is the clear market leader** with the widest retail distribution across all major retailers. The Andersons BioChar DG is differentiated by its dispersible granule format for lawns. FOOP and Organic Mechanics add pre-inoculation as a premium differentiator. Pure biochar pricing ranges from roughly $1–$2/quart.

Premium Organic Biochar (B.O.B.)

by Black Owl Biochar
N/A (>70% organic carbon)
N-P-K
Price$24–$28 / 1 cu ft
**Wakefield BioChar is the clear market leader** with the widest retail distribution across all major retailers. The Andersons BioChar DG is differentiated by its dispersible granule format for lawns. FOOP and Organic Mechanics add pre-inoculation as a premium differentiator. Pure biochar pricing ranges from roughly $1–$2/quart.

BioChar DG Organic Soil Amendment

by The Andersons
N/A (DG granule format)
N-P-K
Price$28–$35 / 10 lb
**Wakefield BioChar is the clear market leader** with the widest retail distribution across all major retailers. The Andersons BioChar DG is differentiated by its dispersible granule format for lawns. FOOP and Organic Mechanics add pre-inoculation as a premium differentiator. Pure biochar pricing ranges from roughly $1–$2/quart.

Inoculated Biochar

by FOOP Organic
N/A (pre-loaded with microbes)
N-P-K
Price$20–$30 / 64 oz
**Wakefield BioChar is the clear market leader** with the widest retail distribution across all major retailers. The Andersons BioChar DG is differentiated by its dispersible granule format for lawns. FOOP and Organic Mechanics add pre-inoculation as a premium differentiator. Pure biochar pricing ranges from roughly $1–$2/quart.

Biochar Blend Soil Amendment

by Organic Mechanics
1-0.4-1
N-P-K
Price$30–$40 / 1 cu ft
**Wakefield BioChar is the clear market leader** with the widest retail distribution across all major retailers. The Andersons BioChar DG is differentiated by its dispersible granule format for lawns. FOOP and Organic Mechanics add pre-inoculation as a premium differentiator. Pure biochar pricing ranges from roughly $1–$2/quart.

Premium Biochar Soil Enhancer

by Old Potters
N/A (100% organic charcoal)
N-P-K
Price$30–$38 / 24 qt
**Wakefield BioChar is the clear market leader** with the widest retail distribution across all major retailers. The Andersons BioChar DG is differentiated by its dispersible granule format for lawns. FOOP and Organic Mechanics add pre-inoculation as a premium differentiator. Pure biochar pricing ranges from roughly $1–$2/quart.

Original Biochar

by Wakefield
0-0-0
N-P-K
Sizes1 cu ft
Price$38.99
OrganicOMRI

Biochar Organic

by Readi-Soil
0-0-0
N-P-K
Sizes10 lb, 22 lb
Price$19.99
OrganicOMRI

HumiChar

by The Andersons
0-0-0
N-P-K
Sizes40 lb
Price$94.88
OrganicOMRI

Organic Biochar

by CharX
0-0-0
N-P-K
Sizes40 lb
Price$89.95
OrganicOMRI

HumiChar Blend

by Drevy
0-0-0
N-P-K
Sizes40 lb
Price$99.94
OrganicNatural

Biochar Blend

by Vermont Organics
0-0-0
N-P-K
Sizes1 cu ft
Price$42.89
OrganicOrganic

Organic Biochar

by Soil Doctor
0-0-0
N-P-K
Sizes40 lb
Price$47.81
OrganicNatural

Horticultural Char

by Harris
0-0-0
N-P-K
Sizes2 qt
Price$11.99
OrganicNatural

Compost/Char Mix

by Black Kow
0.5-0.5-0.5
N-P-K
Sizes1 cu ft
Price$5.99
OrganicNatural

CarbonBoost Blend

by Wakefield
0-0-0
N-P-K
Sizes1 cu ft
Price$48.30
OrganicOrganic

♾️

Permanent Soil Improvement

Biochar carbon does not decompose. A single application creates permanent improvements to soil structure, water holding capacity, and nutrient retention that last for centuries.

💧

Water Retention & Drainage

Biochar's porous structure holds water in sandy soils while improving drainage in clay soils. It moderates soil moisture in both directions — reducing irrigation needs and preventing waterlogging.

🦠

Massive Microbial Habitat

One gram of biochar has the surface area of a tennis court. This porous network houses billions of beneficial microbes, dramatically increasing biological activity in the root zone.

📊

Increases CEC Permanently

Cation exchange capacity determines how well soil holds nutrients. Biochar increases CEC permanently — nutrients stay in the root zone instead of leaching past the roots.

Common Questions