EM for your Garden

EM can be the most valuable tool you will use in the home garden!

So many ways to use EM....... and so many benefits:

When you receive EM from your distributor, it is the base solution of EM, called EM1. This can be used as it is without any further preparation, although if you use this base solution without further preparation, we recommend you add equal parts of molasses or raw sugar to the solution of EM and water. This will provide a food source for the EM in their new home¡K.your garden!

Alternatively, you can activate and expand EM1 to make what we call EM-A. This makes your EM go much further, but requires some extra work!, with some equipment, some time and preparation.

To make EM-A (activated and expanded EM)

You will need:

* A plastic container with lid

* An aquarium heater, or the means to keep container warm 25-35 C for 7 days

We recommend a 5% dilution of EM with 5% Molasses to water E.g. To make 10 litres of EM-A, use the following process.

Always use clean equipment and chlorine free water (if water chlorinated then stand the water for 24 hours in an open container like a bucket, cover with muslin to prevent dust or other contaminants going into the water.

Firstly add your molasses to your container and put about 30% of your water in as hot or boiled water, then stir the solution to dissolve the molasses, then add the balance of cold water, the EM can be added before you top off the container with water. Before to stir the EM into the solution. Next you add your heater or place in a warm room. The requirement is 25-35 degrees C. If you have a thermostat heater¡Kset it on 30 degrees C. Seal the top with a lid or plastic glad wrap. An airlock is ideal.... Alternatively you will need to release the gas by loosening the lid every day, or just keep the lid slightly loose..so that the gas can escape.

After 5-7 days, the EM-A will be ready to use. EM-A has a shorter life than EM1 and needs to be used within 3 weeks. Best to use within a week of making. Excellent for those large jobs around the garden. Always store, in sealed container at room temperature, out of sunlight.

NOTE. For rates and application of EM1 and EM-A, treat them as the same when calculating dilutions and application rates.

Application rates and techniques

Add EM to your watering can at 1:1000, (remember if you use EM1, then add equal parts molasses to the solution) and then thoroughly wet the soil and plants with this solution. Apply frequently during the growing season, from 1-2 weekly.

This technique can be used for applying to lawns, and when preparing your soil for planting, when digging in green manures and before laying down mulches. Get those friendly microbes activating this organic matter, which is food for these great little guys!

For foliar spraying, mix up a 1:100 dilution of EM to water..(remember if you use EM1, then add equal parts molasses to the solution).

Spray all plants, and trees with this solution. This is a great technique when, the plants or trees require a boost and may be coming under stress with disease or pest pressure. If you make herbal or weed teas¡Kthen add EM at 1 to 5% of the liquid volume, this makes a very nice fermented plant extract (FPE), and controls any odor issues. The tea is great for applying to plants as disease prevention. Use regularly over the disease pressure period, dilute to 1% with water.

Apply to pot plants or planters either as describe above with watering can at 1:1000 dilution or sprayer 1:100 dilution.

EM will promote flowering and fruiting and will produce healthy plants and produce.

Add EM to compost at 3 litres per cubic metre. Or to your existing compost heap spray with

Apply EM to your septic tank at 1:1000 (1 litre of EM to 1000 litres of effluent). Give a dose at cleanout of tank, then does weekly or monthly depending on the system.

EM is to your soil, as yoghurt is to your digestive system...... Regular dosing is recommended!