The EM® Method--Save Time And Money
Composting is the aerobic decomposition of organic materials. This means it requires aerating waste materials. In other words, turning the materials. Lots and lots of turning. In some cases, the piles are turned every day. The traditional model is assuming the only way to control pathogens and suppress weeds seeds is to make the pile aerobic and get the temperatures up to 140-155ºF. Compost is great to use as a mulch. It does add organic matter, but can be "hot" or immature and burn plants. A typical composting cycle is 12 to 16 weeks.
With high fuel and labor costs, this is, however, a very inefficient way to deal with wastes. The option is to ferment the materials using EM•1® Microbial Inoculant (or EM•1® Waste Treatment). Properly fermenting the wastes will prevent off-gassing of VOCs such as methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide (all by-products of rotting organic materials, even found in the composting process), control pathogenic growth, and suppress weed seeds without the production of much heat and without the excessive turning. The dramatic reduction in turning also saves on the use of fossil fuels and pollution created by heavy machinery.
If
you are looking to adds tons of microbes and organic matter, but do not need to mulch, this method is much cheaper and faster than composting. The fermentation process produces tons of enzymes, vitamins, bio-available nutrients to support plant growth and other beneficial microbes in the soil as well. The end-product is best incorporated with soil at 1" to 3" below the soil surface.
Over the years we have run several side-by-side tests to confirm this with various types of organic wastes. Below are instructions on how to do this.
Material
| Activated EM•1® per ton/cubic yard
| Green wastes
| 1 gallon
| Manure
| 1.5 Gallons
| Food Wastes
| 2 Gallons
|
1. Gather feedstock.
2. Using a compost turner, inoculate with Activated EM•1® at the suggested rate above with water to reach desired moisture content.*
3. Leave materials for a minimum of 4 weeks.
4. Spread 5 or more tons per acre.
5. Incorporate 1-3" into soil, mix in potting mix, or back-fill area.
*Desired moisture content is 30-35% at time of mixing.
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