For plants, it's a delivery system that provides water and nutrients that are essential to plant growth. The key to thriving plants is creating a healthy, active soil biome, and the real work happens at a microscopic level. Because biochar creates habitat for the microbes in your soil, it's one of the best materials to add in the fall to prep your soil for successful planting in the spring. Soil structure, pH, and water-holding capacity all impact the health of soil biomes and determine whether nutrients in the soil are actually usable by your plants. Adding biochar in the fall improves soil structure, increases water retention, and boosts microbial activity, making it one of the best tips for growing a healthy garden with beautiful blooms.