Soil Culturing

in #farm7 years ago

This is going to be a sort of interesting post for farming minded people. Those not interested in soil culture and growing green things, can probably skip this. We know that all life has a biome, a web of intricate support that requires the most minute of life to succeed. Take for example soil. It's not just dirt. It is a complex ecosystem of its own. Host to various multitude of bacteria, virus, bugs, organisms of all kind. But did you know that most plants rely on probiotic type organisms to unleash certain absorption and or metabolic functions, just like we do? Take for example, peas/beans. There is an innoculant you can buy, to roll the peas and beans in, that will help them get started and flourish. This innoculant is largely the lactobacillus strain of probiotics. Now, also, here in the PNW, because we get so much rain, we tend to have acidic soils that are low on calcium and magnesium, as those tend to wash out easily. So application of cultured milk, can help with a vast array of problems in the garden. And since I have a burgeoning supply, I decided to culture some to put over my peas when I plant them tomorrow. It's fascinating stuff, feeding the soil that will feed my family and farm. I inoculated this milk with a lactobacillus and varied strains of other probiotics and let it culture. Life is fragile, and dependent on so many complex and delicately balanced systems. <320180311_194807.jpg