Bokashi vs Ensilaging vs Eco-enzymes – Are They All the Same Process?

I have been following Bokashi composting for a number of years and never really understood what happens during the fermentation process. Ask people what bokashi is and they reply with, it’s fermentation. Ok, what is fermentation? Few can take the discussion further especially on a chemical and cellular basis. Even dedicated Bokashi groups on Facebook don’t understand what actually happens during the process.

I have been looking at some other forms of fermentation including ensilaging and eco-enzymes, and the picture of what they are is starting to become clearer.

Bokashi vs Ensilaging vs Eco-enzymes - Are They All the Same Process?
Bokashi vs Ensilaging vs Eco-enzymes – Are They All the Same Process?, source: Green and Growing

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Important Non-Bee Pollinators in Your Garden

A diverse array of pollinators supports the countless species of flowering plants that fill up our gardens, agricultural fields, and natural ecosystems. Unfortunately, bees tend to get all the credit and concern. Read on to learn about the non-bee pollinators that work their magic on the plants in your garden.

Important Non-Bee Pollinators in Your Garden
Important Non-Bee Pollinators in Your Garden, source: Walters Gardens

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Electric Composters – An Eco Win or Unnecessary Appliance?

I became aware of the first electric composter a couple of years ago, and now there are at least a dozen brands on the market. They are promoted as an eco-friendly way to deal with food scraps. Just put your waste in the device, and it will compost the material in a few hours. The material is reduced in volume by 90% and is a perfect fertilizer for your houseplants and garden.

The first one I saw was a larger floor model that required the addition of coir, and some models suggest the addition of microbes to help with the composting process. Newer models are smaller in size and don’t require the addition of coir or microbes.

Right from the moment that I saw the first unit, I questioned the “composting” aspect. How can they compost so quickly when composting is a very slow process? My myth-busting antennae went up.

Electric Composters - An Eco Win or Unnecessary Appliance?
Electric Composters – An Eco Win or Unnecessary Appliance? Showing Nagual composter.

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Are Fungal to Bacterial Ratios (F:B Ratio) Important for Plant Growth?

It has been known for some time that the ratio of fungi to bacteria varies in different types of soil and in different plant communities. Forests have a higher ratio of fungi while grassland and agricultural soil is higher in bacteria. This has led to the idea that plants grow best when the fungal to bacterial ratio is matched to their needs. Gardeners should not only monitor their fungi to bacteria ratio, but also modify the soil to change it.

In this post I will look at the science support this idea.

Are Fungal to Bacterial Ratios Important for Plant Growth?
Are Fungal to Bacterial Ratios Important for Plant Growth?

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Do Crushed Tomato Leaves Kill Aphids?

The meme pictured below suggests that crushed tomato leaves are a good way to get rid of aphids. Who knew?

This meme is making the rounds and based on comments, a lot of you will give it a try. Why? Why not just use Google and do a quick search to find the facts? That does not always work, but in this case the facts are readily available.

Do Crushed Tomato Leaves Kill Aphids?
Do Crushed Tomato Leaves Kill Aphids?

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Vermicompost Leachate – Will it Harm Plants?

One of the most hotly debated questions in vermicomposting is this: Is vermicompost leachate good or bad for plants? Some say it is great for plants and use it all of the time. Others warn that it should not be used because it contains phytotoxins (plant poisons) and pathogens.

What I find most interesting about this debate is that both sides claim to be correct and yet neither side takes the time to do a search for some scientific evidence to support their position. I guess I approach things differently and the science in this case is easy to find – one Google Scholar search will do it.

Let’s look at the facts surrounding vermicompost leachate.

Vermicompost Leachate - Will it Harm Plants?
Vermicompost Leachate – Will it Harm Plants? Credit: J&J Acres and Deep Green Permaculture

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Bokashi vs EM vs Eco-enzyme – How Are They Different?

There is a lot of discussion about bokashi, EM (Effective Microorganisms), and Eco-enzyme. When I read the material on these, it seems as if there is a lot of overlap between these three topics, and at time Eco-enzymeses they even seem to be the same thing. I thought it would be useful to clarify what they are and differentiate between them.

Eco-enzyme are even available as commercial products in Asia.

Bokashi vs EM vs Eco-enzyme - How Are They Different?
Bokashi vs EM vs Eco-enzyme – How Are They Different?, Credit: Shopee

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Fluoride Toxicity in Plants – Is Tap Water Harmful?

Many municipalities add fluoride to tap water, and fluoride can be toxic to plants, so is this a problem? Is tap water harming your plants, and what can you do about it?

A quick search on the internet reveals lists of fluoride-sensitive plants – how sensitive are they, and should you stop growing these if your tap water has added fluoride?

Let’s have a look at the facts regarding fluoride and plants.

Fluoride Toxicity in Plants - Is Tap Water Harmful?
Fluoride Toxicity in Plants – Is Tap Water Harmful?, credit National Gardening Association

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Watering Plants in the Sun – Do Water Droplets Damage Leaves?

Common advice: you should not water the garden at midday because the water droplets act like magnifying glasses and will burn leaves. Is this true?

There are other similar beliefs that have nothing to do with plants. Many dermatology websites say that water droplets on skin will burn it. In the forest industry, it is believed that a rain drop can heat dry leaves to the point of ignition and cause forest fires.

Common sense and science will reveal the truth.

Watering Plants in the Sun - Do Water Droplets Damage Leaves?
Watering Plants in the Sun – Do Water Droplets Damage Leaves?

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