The Soil Inorganic solids sand clay carrier Minerals

The Soil Inorganic solids (sand, clay …. . ): carrier Minerals (K+, Ca 2+, NO 3 -, SO 42 -, NH 4+…) Water Organic Matter Life in the soil Climate Acidity (p. H) Will our gardening be successful? IT IS ALL ABOUT BALANCE

Soil is a living organism Respect the circle of Life (micro) organisms bacteria/mold/fungi/yeasts/amoeba bugs/nematodes/earth worms vegetables Good Life: BALANCE

Micro-organisms …. . Convert Organic matter into Nutrients and Minerals Conditioning the Soil Generating Heat Aerobic: in the presence of air (oxygen) Anaerobic: in the absence of air fermentation

Some micro organisms are facultative anaerobic or aerobic The circumstances determine how they behave Examples: Lactobacillus sp. Produce e. g. lactate (yoghurt, sourdough), acetate (vinegar) and some ethanol (alcohol).

Aerobic Micro-organisms …. . (woodstove full blast) Bacteria Fungus Bugs Examples: compost, well-aerated soil More complete breakdown of organic matter (ultimately to carbon dioxide, water and minerals NO 3 -, SO 42 -, PO 43 -) With high energy production (heat)

Anaerobic Micro-organisms …. . (woodstove during the night) Yeast Bacteria Examples: Sauerkraut, yoghurt, cheese, Bokashi, bread, beer, wine, free-living bacteria Nfixation, methane bacteria Partial breakdown of organic matter with many different nutrients produced As well as minerals NO 2 -, NH 3, H 2 S, S Low energy release (most energy still in nutrients)

Garden soil needs both Anaerobic micro-organisms …. . mainly to provide a range of organic nutrients to the roots (BUT some can produce less favourable substances) …. . and Aerobic micro-organisms mainly to provide heat (energy) and minerals long-term stabilisation of the soil temperature

Anaerobic fermentation -produces nutrients -leaves organic matter largely unchanged to the eye -fermented organic matter can be composted more easily by Aerobic organisms

How can we promote a healthy balance in terms of soil micro organisms: bacteria? Reduce ‘bad’ bacteria: Increase ‘good’ bacteria: cause disease provide nutrients and protection against disease PROBIOTICS Good and bad compete partly for the same nutrients: add more ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ will disappear!

Lactobacillus sp. Probiotic Also for plants Found in: Sauerkraut, yoghurt, cheese, Bokashi

Lactobacillus sp. Easy to produce and to apply to soil and plants Found dormant on many plants and seeds e. g. rice, wheat, barley, oats Harvest bacteria/spores Revive Multiply Store/Apply

Lactobacillus sp. CAVEAT!! MPI fumigates imported foods such as rice (unless from Oz) Me. Br kills bacteria and spores Me. Br contributes to the ozone hole Unknown whether treated food affects your health

Lactobacillus sp. Harvest bacteria/spores Wash grains with non-chlorinated water and collect first wash (‘whitish’ water: starter) or make sourdough starter Contains some bacterial and fungal spores

Lactobacillus sp. Revive bacteria/spores Let starter sit under cover of cloth (flies) For about a week Warm-ish spot Smells a little sour Precipitate-liquid-top layer

Lactobacillus sp. Multiply bacteria/spores Collect the starter liquid Mix 1+10 with milk Let starter sit under cover of cloth (flies) Or in a fermentation pot For about a week Warm-ish spot Smells cheesy

Lactobacillus sp. Multiply bacteria/spores Top layer ‘Curd: Cheese’ Middle layer ‘Whey+bacteria: green-ish’ = concentrated LAB serum Bottom layer

Lactobacillus sp.

Lactobacillus sp. Apply/Store Collect middle layer = conc. LAB serum Dilute (ncw) LAB serum 1: 20 | Dilute (ncw) LAB application solution (1: 20) Apply before sowing, when planting, transplanting, spraying of diseased plants

Lactobacillus sp. Apply/Store This is the workhorse of the beneficial bacteria. Many other uses: Foul odors, clogged drains, septic tanks, cheaper pig/chicken/etc farming, aquaculture, ponds, drink, ointment

Lactobacillus serum Lactic-acid producing bacteria (LABs) are known to have various beneficial qualities such as anti-tumour activity, reduction of serum cholesterol, alleviation of lactose intolerance, stimulation of the immune system, enhancement of resistance against pathogens and prevention of traveller’s diarrhoea (Aimutis 1999; Reid 2006).

Plant growth/health promotors Lactobacillus Serum Homemade Fish Fertilizer BIM Cal. Phos Grow Fertilizer Bloom Fertilizer Immuboost Ginger-Garlic Extract Neem Extract Bokashi Biochar Cockroach Composting Cover Crops Worm Composting Compost Tea theunconventionalfarmer. com ofrf. org ecologiesurleweb. free. fr