Improving Life using Effective Microorganisms®
Improving Life using Effective Microorganisms®
Composting has been around long before any modern forms of farming and gardening. Creating a good compost remains one of the most beneficial ways to create and improve soil health for whatever you are growing. Even though compost is essentially just decomposed matter, there are still ways to produce a better yielding and nutrient-rich mix for your garden! Let’s discuss some important steps to take to make sure your organic waste is providing maximum benefits to your garden or crop.
Composting has been around long before any modern forms of farming and gardening. Creating a good compost remains one of the most beneficial ways to create and improve soil health for whatever you are growing. Even though compost is essentially just decomposed matter, there are still ways to produce a better yielding and nutrient-rich mix for your garden! Let’s discuss some important steps to take to make sure your organic waste is providing maximum benefits to your garden or crop.
Aerobic Method:
The turners and tumblers for composting are designed to allow air into the materials you wish to compost. Compost, by definition is the aerobic breakdown of organic matter. It is a rotting process. During this process, turning the contraption often and adding water keeps the materials moist. Adding EM-1® to a compost pile will help to increase the air flow into the pile, increasing the aerobic microbe populations in the pile. This means you can get more air transfer in a pile with less turning...or less work!
Bokashi Method (Semi-anaerobic):
This is a quick fermentation method that is centuries old. Organic materials (carbon: leaves, grass, wood chips, etc.) are collected and piled. If adding fresh manure (cow, horse, chicken, pig, rabbit, etc.), mix at a ratio of 1 carbon: 20 parts manure.
As the materials are piled, water with a solution of EM-1®, molasses, and water (1:1:100). The moisture content of the pile should be about 30-35% moisture.
Once this is achieved, cover the pile with a tarp and weigh down with rocks and/ or boards. Fermentation will take about two weeks. The longer you let it sit, the better.
After the fermentation cycle is complete, the materials are ready to incorporate into the soil. You will likely see white mold on the pile. This is a beneficial mold and is a sign of success. Depending on what was used (food scraps, etc.) you will not want to mulch with this material as it will attract animals. If it is made only with plant material, you can mix it with compost or bark mulch to use as a mulch.
For piles larger than a cubic yard, the application rate of EM-1® Microbial Inoculant is about 1-1.5 gallons per cubic yard, diluted into the water use to reach proper moisture for composting.
Bokashi Method (Semi-anaerobic):
This is a quick fermentation method that is centuries old. Organic materials (carbon: leaves, grass, wood chips, etc.) are collected and piled. If adding fresh manure (cow, horse, chicken, pig, rabbit, etc.), mix at a ratio of 1 carbon: 20 parts manure.
As the materials are piled, water with a solution of EM-1®, molasses, and water (1:1:100). The moisture content of the pile should be about 30-35% moisture.
Once this is achieved, cover the pile with a tarp and weigh down with rocks and/ or boards. Fermentation will take about two weeks. The longer you let it sit, the better.
After the fermentation cycle is complete, the materials are ready to incorporate into the soil. You will likely see white mold on the pile. This is a beneficial mold and is a sign of success. Depending on what was used (food scraps, etc.) you will not want to mulch with this material as it will attract animals. If it is made only with plant material, you can mix it with compost or bark mulch to use as a mulch.
For piles larger than a cubic yard, the application rate of EM-1® Microbial Inoculant is about 1-1.5 gallons per cubic yard, diluted into the water use to reach proper moisture for composting.
CHECK OUT SOME MORE POPULAR CONTENT
Increase the sweetness, nutritional content and yield of your produce with EM-1®.
Homemade compost puts you in control of your garden and increases soil health.
EM-1® and Terakashi® Bokashi can be used to increase the health of your birds.
Focusing on soil health and beneficial microorganisms can ensure beautiful, blooming plants.
Learn how and why Dr. Higa began working with beneficial microorgansism.
The purple hued plant can provide a variety of health benefits to your garden.
EM-1® can be activated or "brewed" to save money and extend EM-1® to go further.
Learn the how-to and tips on starting a sustainable organic garden.