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Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

$12.00 CAD
$12.00 CAD
Sale Sold out

It just arrived on the Pantry shelf: A brand new multi-species seed inoculant covering not only legumes, but a wide range of crops.

EcoTea (TM) Dry Seed Dressing is a biologically active inoculant that will coat your seed with ecologically functioning microbes which will help break seed dormancy, facilitate germination, improve root development, support nutrient efficiency, and increase disease resistance.

My previous product contained only Rhizobium bacteria, known to form nodules in the roots of their host plants, where they gather nitrogen gas from the air. This new product has Rhizobium plus a multitude of plant friendly bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. It’s almost like having powdered compost tea!

Transforming atmospheric nitrogen into solid compounds, symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria provide this valuable protein building block to the plants in a mutually beneficial relationship.

Interestingly, some common herbs, shrubs and trees are also known to partner with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil.

These include clover, vetch, alfalfa, and lupins, all of which are often used as “green manure” cover crops; and pioneer species such as broom (Cytisus), alder (Alnus), buffaloberry (Shepherdia), sea buckthorn (Hippophae), silverberry (Elaeagnus), Caragana, and Ceanothus.

Their ecological role is to improve overall soil fertility in young developing ecosystems. Usually, people call these plants “nitrogen-fixing plants” even though technically it is the bacteria who do the job.

It amazes me time and again how all the food on our table ultimately comes to us courtesy of the nitrogen cycle and this partnership of plants and bacteria, with their unique abilities to respectively capture carbon and nitrogen gas from thin air, and then trading and turning these elements into carbohydrates and proteins – so that all creatures may have food to eat.

Application

This product comes in a two-pouch combo. Pouch A contains the live inoculant, Pouch B is a special blend of microbial foods and a sticking agent to hep the inoculant adhere to the seed.

Just prior to planting, place your seeds in a container and sprinkle with a very small amount of water. Mix and add the inoculant (Pouch A) and microbial foods (Pouch B) and and shake or stir until all seeds are thoroughly coated. Plant as usual.

Even though the combined weight of the two components totals just 24 grams, one package treats 6 to 8 pounds of seed  (at three to four grams per pound of seed). That’s the astonishing power of microorganisms! For small amounts of seed, use proportionally less product. Store leftover seed dressing in a cool place away from direct sunlight, not mixed, with the bags closed tightly. It is good for about one year.

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Shipping & Local Pick-Up

FLAT RATE SHIPPING + LOCAL PICK UP

Flat Rate Shipping across Canada with either Canada Post, Purolator or UPS

Purchase ($) Shipping ($)
<55 15
55-74 20
75-124 25
125-199 30
200-399 40
400-699 55
700+ 70

 

LOCAL PICK UP, VICTORIA BC

If you prefer to pick up your order in Victoria, BC, just choose the ‘Pick Up’ option during checkout.

Online order pickups are now at Gardener’s Kit at 169 Langford Street — very close to my old shop in Vic West!

You will receive a pick up confirmation when your order is ready. Click Here for driving directions + Gardener's Kit store hours

Ideally, please allow one business day for order processing. If you need something the same day, or you’d like to meet and chat, give me a quick call or send a text before coming over (250-216-3733) and I will try my best to be ready for you.

What’s the difference between EM and Activated EM? Can I keep re-activating my Activated EM?

I wish! Sadly EM is a bit different from yogurt or sourdough making. The first activation will turn out very closely similar to the mother culture, but with subsequent activations the intricate balance of microbe species and numbers will start to shift, and the effectiveness will decrease. I only ever use fresh mother culture when activating.

EM mother culture can be used the same way as Activated EM, but for economic reasons most people buy it to make their own activation. If you’re new to gardening with EM and you just want to try it out, or if you don’t want to spend the time and effort of activating, then go for the already activated product.

What’s the difference between EM/AEM and Compost Tea?

While EM, AEM, and Compost Tea are made differently, they have similar benefits and compliment each other beautifully. For a comparative summary of these products, see the March 2011 Newsletter.

Can I combine products for easy, all-in-one application?

Yes, almost all products are compatible. The only exception is with fish and sea minerals, which are better applied separately. Keep in mind that dilution rates are different for each product, and try to apply right away after mixing.

Do I need a sprayer?

For soil and compost application, or treating small lawns, a watering can is just fine. For application to foliage, finer droplets are advantageous. You can use a spray bottle, a hose-end sprayer, or a hand-held or backpack sprayer. The wand of a sprayer will help greatly with getting to the underside of leaves. Whatever container you use, be sure it never held any pesticides or liquid synthetic fertilizer.

How do I store the products, and how long do they keep?

Store all products at a cool room temperature, with the lid on tight, and out of direct light. Store pure and undiluted – once products are mixed or diluted with water, they go off quickly. EM mother culture keeps up to two years, activated EM six months or longer. Mycorrhizal fungi, liquid fish, liquid kelp, and sea minerals are good for about a year. Humic acids and molasses can be stored almost indefinitely.

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