If you’re looking for a simple and budget-friendly way to boost the health of your garden soil, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) could be just what you need! I actually teamed up with @epicgardening to explore this, and it turns out LAB is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve soil biology using just a few basic household ingredients.

What is LAB?

Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) provides a reliable source of beneficial microbes that can significantly boost your soil’s biological activity. LAB helps decompose organic matter, making nutrients more accessible to your plants and improving the overall soil structure. Once you’ve made a batch, it can last for years in your fridge, offering a cost-effective, long-term solution.

Benefits of LAB

  • Stimulate Compost: LAB enhances microbial activity in your compost pile, speeding up decomposition and helping to transform organic waste into nutrient-dense compost more quickly.

     

  • Loosen Compacted Soil: Dealing with heavy, compacted soil? LAB can help by encouraging microbial life that naturally aerates the soil, making it easier for roots to grow and water to flow.

     

  • Soak Your Seeds & Root Mass: Soaking seeds or plants in diluted LAB before planting promotes healthy root development, giving them a strong and healthy start.

     

  • Combat Airborne Pathogens: As a foliar spray, LAB helps protect plants from airborne pathogens, acting as a natural, chemical-free shield to keep them healthy.

The Simple LAB Recipe

What You’ll Need:

  • 2 cups organic rice
  • 1 liter raw milk
  • Sieve
  • Jar
  • Cheesecloth

Instructions:

  1. Begin by rinsing your rice with water. This step is important because it captures the starches that LAB will thrive on.
  2. Pour the rice water into a jar and let it sit in a dark, cool spot for 2-3 days. During this time, the water will ferment and the lactic acid bacteria will start to grow.
  3. After 2-3 days, mix the fermented rice water with raw milk. Let it sit for about a week. As it ferments, the liquid will separate into curds and whey. The whey, which is the liquid portion, is what you want since it’s full of beneficial bacteria.
  4. Strain the mixture using a sieve to keep the whey. This liquid is your concentrated LAB solution.

How to Use LAB

Dilute your LAB solution with rainwater or filtered water at a 1:1000 ratio. For example, if you’re using 1 liter of LAB, you’ll need 1,000 liters of water. This dilution makes it safe and effective for your plants, compost, and soil.

Why LAB is Important for Sustainable Gardening

The great thing about using LAB in your garden is that it’s not only super effective but also sustainable. With simple ingredients like rice and raw milk, you’re creating a biological powerhouse for your garden that cuts down on the need for chemical fertilizers and synthetic soil conditioners.

LAB promotes natural processes that improve soil health over the long term, making it perfect for anyone trying to garden more sustainably.

So, if you want a cheap, effective, and eco-friendly way to boost your soil biology, LAB is definitely worth a try! 

Happy gardening!

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