EM Application

The EM or activated EM is mixed with water in a watering can, sprayer, or irrigation system. It is definitely better to use water that has no chlorine,* although not essential for EM as some of the microbes seem to be able to break down the chlorine. Like most liquid products, it is best applied in the morning, while evening would be the second choice (this is particularly beneficial for living inoculants; since some of the microorganisms are not interested in basking in the hot sun, so it's nice to give them some time to acclimate to their new surroundings and find a place where they are happy).

They work best when combined with biostimulants (click on the biostimulants link at right to learn more). Preferably, EM would be applied in smaller, regular doses, such as monthly or even weekly. At minimum, it should be done once in the spring and once in the fall. Here are some application rates, with more details at the links below:

Dilution - EM and activated EM can be diluted with water for application with ratios from 1:50 water to 1:10000 water. This ratio depends on the frequency of application and the area you are trying to cover. For example, daily use through irrigation systems is often done at very diluted ratios. Use on turf and in gardens would be lower.

Here are some ratios that I have come up with based on my research. I spent considerable time researching application rates for my February 2009 Newsletter, and I strongly suggest reading that here (at least the conclusions). Basically, I determined that it would be a good idea to experiment with using lesser amounts of EM (the lower end of the scale below), particularly if you are having trouble diluting it with sufficient water. As shown below, I would like to see at least a 1:250 dilution for foliar sprays and a 1:100 for turf and soil, and I believe that 85 ml (1/3 cup) of EM per thousand square feet would be a good place to start:

• 1:10000 - for daily use, such as through an irrigation system
• 1:1000 - for weekly foliar use; 20-125 ml of EM per 1000 sq ft
• 1:100-1:250 - for monthly use as a foliar feed; higher dilution (1:250) is better if possible; 85-500 ml of EM per 1000 sq ft
• 1:50 - for monthly/seasonal use on turf and as a soil drench; higher dilution (1:100) is better if possible; 85-500 ml of EM per 1000 sq ft
• 1:1000 - for soaking seeds; 5-10 minutes only, as some seed may ferment after too long

I have never run into any problems, but it is theoretically possible to ferment flowers and young, tender leaves if the application rate is below 1:250. If you have prize roses, it would be best to use a more diluted ratio to avoid this possibility. Note that the application rates above and below are for the EM before it has been diluted.

Here is another way to look at it:

Lawn and Garden - Manufacturer's recommend a total of 1 gallon(US) per 1000 sq ft per year, split into applications as often as is feasible. This is a lot more than is typically used in agriculture (see below). I believe we should try using the agriculture rates, particularly if we are using a backpack sprayer or something similar where mixing it with enough water for a proper dilution is not feasible due to time contraints. I think that perhaps the dilution ratio is more important than the actual rate of application.

Compost - 1:100 until compost is moist, but not soaked (like a wrung out sponge).

Agricultural inoculant - A total of 1 to 10 gallons(US) per acre per year, split into applications as often as is feasible. For some reason, the recommendations for farming are generally less. There could be several reasons for this, but ultimately it points to the fact that there is no recipe. Research is still being done on optimal dilutions and application rates.

More application rates | Septic Systems | My Activation Procedure

* If you're using city water and you want to get rid of the chlorine, leaving it in a pail for 24 hours will be sufficient to dechlorinate it in most cities. In Victoria, however, they use chloramine in the water (chlorine and ammonium), which does not dissipate as readily. In this case, a small amount of humic acids or a Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) tablet can be stirred into the water before use.