%20(1).png)
Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Bone Char
Learn how bone char improves soil structure while delivering slow-release phosphorus and calcium. Application rates and organic gardening guide.
Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Bone Char
Bone char is produced by heating animal bones to temperatures between 400-500°C in a low-oxygen environment. This pyrolysis process burns off organic matter and nitrogen while concentrating phosphorus and calcium into a highly porous carbon matrix. The result is a lightweight, dark granular material that functions as both a fertilizer and a soil conditioner.
Unlike raw bone meal, bone char's nutrients are released extremely slowly — over years rather than months. The porous structure of bone char also gives it exceptional cation exchange capacity, meaning it can hold and slowly release other nutrients applied alongside it. This makes it particularly valuable in sandy soils that struggle with nutrient retention.
Bone char has a long agricultural history, particularly in tropical farming systems where it has been used to build lasting soil fertility similar to the famous Amazonian terra preta (dark earth) soils.
NPK
0-16-0
Type
Organic
Derived From
Animal bones charred at high temperatures (pyrolyzed bone material)
Best For
Fruit Trees|Perennial Berries|Root Vegetables|Tomatoes|Peppers|Asparagus|Roses|Garlic
Brand
Wicked Organics
NPK Breakdown
N
0
N/A — Bone char contains negligible nitrogen due to the high-temperature charring process that volatilizes nitrogen compounds.
P
16
Provides 16% slow-release phosphorus along with approximately 30% calcium. The charred structure creates micropores that improve nutrient retention in soil.
K
0
N/A — Bone char contains no significant potassium.
What Is It ?
Bone char is a unique soil amendment that combines the phosphorus and calcium benefits of traditional bone meal with the carbon-rich, microporous structure of biochar. Created by heating animal bones at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen (pyrolysis), bone char delivers slow-release phosphorus and calcium while simultaneously improving soil structure, water retention, and microbial habitat.
With an approximate NPK of 0-16-0, bone char is a concentrated phosphorus source that releases nutrients gradually over multiple growing seasons. Its carbon framework acts like a sponge in the soil — holding moisture, trapping nutrients that would otherwise leach away, and providing surface area for beneficial soil microorganisms to colonize.
Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Bone Char is ideal for gardeners who want the dual benefits of phosphorus fertilization and long-term soil building. Apply it at planting time or mix into garden beds to create a lasting reservoir of phosphorus and calcium that feeds your plants season after season.
When To Apply ?
For new garden beds, broadcast 3-5 lbs per 100 sq ft and work into the top 4-6 inches of soil. For tree and shrub planting, mix bone char directly into the backfill soil at a ratio of about 10% by volume. For containers, blend 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of potting mix. Because bone char is extremely long-lasting, one application can provide benefits for 3-5 years or more.
How to Apply ?
1.
Soil Test
Test soil pH and phosphorus levels to confirm need. Bone char also provides calcium and raises pH slightly.
2.
Calculate Rate
Calculate application rate based on garden size and soil test phosphorus recommendations.
3.
Broadcast / Mix
Broadcast evenly over garden bed or mix into individual planting holes for targeted phosphorus delivery.
4.
Incorporate
Work into the top 4–6 inches of soil to place phosphorus in the root zone where it's most available.
5.
Water In
Water thoroughly after application to begin slow nutrient release.
6.
Longevity
No reapplication needed for 3–5 years. Bone char releases phosphorus slowly and improves soil structure long-term.
7
Broadcast / Mix
Broadcast evenly over garden bed or mix into individual planting holes for targeted phosphorus delivery.
How To Store
Bone char is non-toxic and safe to handle. Wear a dust mask when applying to avoid inhaling fine particles. Store in a cool, dry location in a sealed container. Unlike raw bone meal, bone char has minimal odor and is less likely to attract animals.
FAQs
1.
What is bone char fertilizer?
Bone char is a natural phosphorus and calcium fertilizer made by heating animal bones at high temperatures in a low-oxygen environment. This charring process creates a highly porous, carbon-rich material with approximately 16% phosphorus (P₂O₅) and 20–30% calcium. Unlike raw bone meal, bone char is more stable, less likely to attract animals, and releases phosphorus more gradually. It also provides a biochar-like soil conditioning effect that improves soil structure and microbial habitat. Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Bone Char is a premium organic phosphorus source for gardens, farms, and landscapes.
2.
What is the difference between bone char and bone meal?
Bone char and bone meal both come from animal bones but are processed differently. Bone meal is ground raw or steamed bones with higher phosphorus (around 12–15%) and some nitrogen (2–4%). Bone char is bones heated through pyrolysis at high temperatures, producing a carbon-rich material with similar phosphorus levels but added soil-conditioning benefits. Bone char is more stable in soil, breaks down more gradually, attracts fewer digging animals, and improves soil porosity like biochar. Old Cobblers Farm™ offers both Wicked Organics Bone Char and Bone Meal so growers can choose the phosphorus source that best fits their needs.
3.
How do I use bone char in my garden?
Apply bone char by broadcasting 2–5 pounds per 100 square feet and incorporating into the top 4–6 inches of soil before planting. For individual transplants, mix 1–2 tablespoons into each planting hole. For trees and shrubs, apply ½–1 cup around the base and work into the soil. Because phosphorus does not move readily through soil, incorporating bone char into the root zone is important for maximum effectiveness. Water thoroughly after application. Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Bone Char provides slow-release phosphorus and calcium in an easy-to-apply granular form.
4.
What plants benefit from bone char?
Bone char benefits any plant that needs phosphorus for root development, flowering, or fruiting. It is especially effective for bulbs, flowering annuals and perennials, roses, fruit trees, root vegetables, tomatoes, and transplants that need rapid root establishment. The calcium content also benefits plants prone to calcium-related disorders like blossom end rot in tomatoes and bitter pit in apples. Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Bone Char is a versatile organic phosphorus amendment for flower gardens, vegetable plots, orchards, and landscape plantings.
5.
Does bone char attract animals?
Bone char is significantly less attractive to digging animals than raw bone meal. The high-temperature pyrolysis process removes most of the fats, proteins, and odors that attract raccoons, skunks, dogs, and other animals to bone meal applications. While no organic amendment is completely animal-proof, bone char is a much better choice for gardens where animal digging is a concern — particularly when fertilizing bulb plantings, which are already vulnerable to animal disturbance. Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Bone Char provides the phosphorus benefits of bone products with minimal animal attraction.
6.
Is bone char the same as biochar?
Bone char and biochar are related but different products. Both are produced through pyrolysis (high-temperature heating in low oxygen), but biochar is made from wood or plant material and primarily serves as a soil conditioner with little direct nutrient value. Bone char is made from animal bones and provides significant phosphorus (16%) and calcium (20–30%) along with soil-conditioning properties. Think of bone char as a nutrient-rich biochar — it improves soil structure while also feeding plants. Old Cobblers Farm™ offers both Wicked Organics Bone Char (for phosphorus + soil conditioning) and Bio Char (for pure soil conditioning).
7
How much phosphorus does bone char provide?
Bone char typically provides approximately 16% phosphorus (P₂O₅) along with 20–30% calcium. This phosphorus concentration is comparable to bone meal and significantly higher than rock phosphate (12%). One pound of bone char applied to 50 square feet delivers meaningful phosphorus supplementation for most garden crops. The phosphorus releases gradually as soil microbes and mild soil acids break down the charred bone material, providing sustained availability over weeks to months. Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Organics Bone Char is a concentrated, long-lasting organic phosphorus source.