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LIMO: Liquid Indigenous Microorganisms

LIMO is the most effective way to expand your indigenous microorganisms. For a full overview of Indigenous Microorganisms, check out this article.

To get a visual idea of LIMO — check out the video below.

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What is LIMO?

LIMO (also called Soil Treatment Solution) is a liquid microbial inoculant made by fermenting IMO4/5 in water.

It gives you a fast-acting, easily applied version of your solid IMO—perfect for waking up soils, activating compost piles, foliar applications, or feeding plant roots with living biology. While IMO4/5 is shelf-stable, LIMO needs to be used immediately and is great for routine foliar applications.

Below is a simple recipe to get you started.

Materials

  • IMO4/5
  • Non-chlorinated water
  • SW
  • OHN
  • FPJ
  • Humic Acid
  • Fermentation container (bucket, jar, or jug)
  • Bubbler (air stones or aerated compost bubbler)
  • Optional:
  • Compost
  • WCA
  • WCP
  • LAB
  • FAA (NOTE: only add after brew has finished, before application)

Instructions

  1. Add IMO4/5 to water
    • In a 5-gallon bucket, fill with 4 gallons of non-chlorinated water.
  2. Add KNF inputs
    • FPJ/FFJ – 30 grams / 1 ounce (See FPJ/FFJ recipe for when to use each)
    • BRV – 30 grams / 1 ounce
    • OHN – 10 grams / 0.25 ounce
    • SW – 500 grams / 17 ounces
    • Vermi-Humic Acid – 60 grams / 2 ounces (half for store-bought)
    • WCA – 30 grams / 1 ounce (See WCA recipe for when to use)
    • WCP – 30 grams / 1 ounce (See WCP recipe for when to use)
    • LAB – 30 grams / 1 ounce
    • FAA – 60 grams / 2 ounces (NOTE: only add after brew has finished, before application) (See FAA recipe for when to use)
  3. Add IMO to fine mesh bag (choose one – IMO4 will result in the most biologically diverse solution)

Add either IMO2, 3, or 4/5 to a paint strainer or tied and sealed up piece of cheesecloth. IMO4 and 5 will result in a more diverse LIMO than IMO3, which will be more diverse than IMO2. This will create a large tea bag that you will steep in the non-chlorinated water.

  • IMO2 – 60 grams / 2 ounces
  • IMO3 – 2 cups
  • IMO4 – 2 cups
  • Optional addition – 1 cup woody, homemade finished compost
  1. Steep and Aerate
    • Place the fine mesh bag in the water (with the nutrients) and fasten the opening to a stick suspended above the water, or to the side of the bucket. Allow the water to soak the dry materials in the bag.
    • Insert bubbler into the bottom of the bucket so that air passes through the liquid continuously. Turn on the bubbler/aerator and allow it to bubble in a shaded, warm location (65–85°F) for between 24-48 hours.
    • Look for heavy foam formation after 24 hours. It should smell earthy, slightly sweet, and clean—not rotten or putrid.

Application

LIMO can be applied undiluted…

  • As a foliar spray (apply to the underside of plant leaves
  • Before and after IMO4 application (helps IMO4 to establish in soil)
  • During transplanting or soil inoculation
  • To inoculate biochar, compost, or mulch layers

Tips & Notes

  • If you don’t have a water filter, let tap water sit 24 hours or use a bubbler to remove chlorine.
  • This is a great way to stretch your IMO4—a little goes a long way in liquid form.

Get the eBook: “A Beginner’s Guide to IMO” by accessing our Free Resource Library below!

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