Soil Microorganisms

I've been trying to convince an "old row gardener" friend of mine of the virtues of SFG.

He doesn't understand where necessary soil microorganisms come from with Mel's Mix. In fact, he even asked what we used, chewing gum?

It seems to me that these microorganisms are present in organic material, such as compost.

Can any one chime in on this subject?

According to the book "Teaming With Microbes" Compost contains the key soil food web organisms and hold as well as cycle plant nutrients.
I highly recommend the book.

Thanks!

DIY microorganisms? Anybody try this?

https://www.smilinggardener.com/soil-food-web/how-to-make-effective-microorganisms/

This link was posted in another thread -- biochar, maybe? I will look there to see if anyone is already on board. If not, I'm willing to be the guinea pig.

Suz, I make a version of EMOs that you basically have a strain of lactobacillus in the end. I have a pdf with the procedural recipe from about 10 years ago from a gentleman that was in Hawaii at the time. You start with rice and I usually start making EMOs when I am going to have rice for a side at a meal. You basically rinse the rice but save the water, I use a quart mason jar and strain the rice to save the water. I put the water in the quart mason jar with a clean paper towel folded over and cover the opening, holding the paper towel on with an elastic band. This is then fermented for a few days, maybe 7-10. Then I again strain the solution and in a 10 to 1 ratio add to milk and let that ferment in a 1/2 gallon or gallon glass jar, covering the mouth again with a paper towel or clean cloth. You are basically making cheese, curds and whey. After another 7-10 days, you remove the curds, strain the whey and you have your EMOs. Now I don't remember the ratio upon which you mix this solution with water to use as a foliar spray for plants, I will try to find the flash drive with this pdf. I know it will suppress powdery mildew on a lilac bush which was acting as a vector to spread it to my cukes and squash. It also is good for a septic system, to kick the microbes up a notch.

countrynaturals wrote:DIY microorganisms? Anybody try this?

Yes.  And, I use the EM to make Bokashi Bran for the composter, as well as foliar sprays in the gardening season.

Suz, here is a pdf. They are calling it LAB, Lactic Acid Bacteria. It is the major component of EMOs.

https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/SA-8.pdf

Dan and OG.

Thank you for posting the link to the PDF. I am curious about the resulting curds as a soft cheese. Does anyone blend in a little salt with the curds and form into soft cheese?