Comments on: Effective MicroOrganisms and Bokashi

By: PeterNZ

PeterNZ — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 20:34:42 +0000

Sorry, the quote got lost in my above comment. Here it is:
“There are a couple of interesting ways EM differs from normal composting methods. First, it’s anaerobic– without oxygen. “

By: PeterNZ

PeterNZ — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 20:33:10 +0000

Hi guys,

great to hear from another EM lover in NZ. Just one thing I would love to clarify, bruce says in one of the comments:

I think this is confusing. Why?
EM is not a composting method. EM enhances the microorganisms. It is not only used to produce Bokashi or to compost. We use it in the hen house, the bathroom, with lifestock, even on our dog (she doesn’t smell anymore!!!)

Only the Bokashi method is anaerobic!!! This is specific to Bokashi and not EM. We use EM on our normal compost which enhances the mciroorganisms and speeds up the rotting process.

I hope you forgive me my Tall Poppy behavior.

Cheers

Peter

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 23:06:29 +0000

Yeah, I’ve read a little about the no turn composting and we’re signed up for a class on other composting methods in September. I think an issue with no turn is that it takes months to make a good compost and it’s not good for meat scraps as it will attrack pests. Bokashi allows for meat scraps (no bones though). Doesn’t matter which method one uses, it’s just good sustainable practice to do some form of composting since most of our waste generated is organic matter. Diversion from landfills is good!

Looks like EM America is licensed to sell EM products in the States. Each country has their own concoction of EM liquid made from the good microorganisms found in their particular country. Generally there is one org/company within a country that mades the EM and distributes it.

By: Kung Foodie

Kung Foodie — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 21:21:33 +0000

Excellent post. We really need to start some sort of sustainable living board to share more info like this.

I’d just been talking with D last month about finding a way to compost our food scraps. There was a great article I found on how to start a regular compost bin using a ‘no turn’ method (good for lazy busy folks like me). When I find it I’ll send you the link. It involved layering green yard waster with brown matter that included dry leaves as well as some dirt.

By: bruce

bruce — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 12:02:49 +0000

There are a couple of interesting ways EM differs from normal composting methods. First, it’s anaerobic– without oxygen. Second, it’s not a heat producing process (ostensibly leaving more energy in the compost). Third, it uses lactic acid producing bacteria, among others (a complex of 90 or so different microorganisms) to produce an acidic environment that retards the growth of “putrefying” bacteria, the kind that smell. The acidity quickly goes neutral once it is buried in the ground.

We’re quite keen to see how it all works out! If it goes well, it’s a quick, smell-less (though less smell-aware people still tend to associate the odor with that of normal garbage — I think the smell is quite different, but I also like Durian), fly-less composting method.