We received a package in the mail earlier this month with 3 bottles of Elm Dirt Plant Juice. It’s a biological liquid fertilizer developed by Lauren Cain during the pandemic.
Having a science-based, woman-owned business myself, I wanted to give this product a try. I was also intrigued by the ingredients: Worm castings, dechlorinated water, organic alfalfa meal, organic kelp meal, lactobacillus extract (made from milk and potato starch), calcium extract (made from eggshells). Sounds good, right?
The product arrived right before my departure for a 10-day vacation. So I cracked open one bottle to apply it before leaving.
Note to self: open this stuff outside – it’s stinky! The bacteria inside had built up pressure and the smell was anaerobic. My training with Dr. Elaine Ingham told me that anaerobic is bad news. As I measured the product into a watering can, I thought, “This is probably going to kill all of my plants, but here goes nothing.”
Then I applied it at a rate of 3 oz per gallon to EVERYTHING; pots, raised beds, all the veggies. I figured it’s hot, it’s late summer, and I’m leaving my garden virtually unattended. So if everything dies while I’m gone it won’t matter too much. I could use the break anyway.
I also remembered that E.M. Bokashi is an anaerobic preparation that is beneficial to plants (and great at reducing odors in compost piles). So I crossed my fingers, packed my bags, and left.
CUT TO 10 DAYS LATER…
I returned from my vacation and everything was indeed not dead. In fact, my volunteer pumpkin plant had 4 new pumpkins and a lot of new leaf growth. A few days later, my first dragon fruit flower bud opened in a big show.
By now the other two bottles were bulging (it’s alive, after all) and needed to be applied ASAP. I opened one up (outside) and reapplied to all my veggie beds and pots. Then I used the last bottle on my fruit trees at a rate of 4 oz per gallon.
Since then I’ve seen new growth on these trees and a few flower buds forming. My basil took off and I’ve been harvesting regularly. My peppers have all set another round of fruit. Looking good so far, Elm Dirt.
Is this coincidence or causal? I suppose I’ll never know. But I do want to have a chat with the owner to find out more about her formula and the science behind it. Hmmm, maybe a future podcast episode?
Find Elm Dirt Plant Juice here – use this coupon code for 15% off: CHRISTY15OFF
Try Elm Dirt Bloom Juice here – it has the addition of some NPK ingredients.
How long after an order can you expect your delivery? Are you notified when your order ships? I ordered February 24, 2024 and have not received anything other than my order confirmation.
Please contact Elm Dirt directly. This is a blog review of the product, not the company’s website.
I received my package in 6 days
Hello, I am new to this product and wanted to try it. When opening the bottle to mix with water, I must say, the smell of it is VILE!!! ??? I pray it won’t harm my precious babies (my plants are my world)!!! I noticed, also, that the order I have will expire 3/24. I can’t use all of it before the end of March, so will it still be ok or will I lose on this?!! Please let me know about this. Thank you!!
Please contact the manufacturer directly with this kind of question. We simply reviewed it and while it smelled awful when we opened the bottle, no plants were harmed in the reviewing of this product.
I just received two bottles of plant juice, noticed the expiration date is 03/24. I ordered two bottles. Today’s date is 02/08/24. Will the juice loose its efficacy post expiration date? If so, I have a month to use it. Concerned as I don’t think I’ll be able to accomplish that. Your feedback please.
You need to contact Elm Dirt directly with this question. They are not monitoring this blog post.
I received bottles that had already exploded What a mess! So I opened the other bottle and deluted with rain water into a bigger jug and all was good
I have sent a couple PMs but have gotten no response.I would rather not make a public comment about this, just seeking advice about a product I’ve purchased.
Have you tried calling or emailing? Old school, I know but it often works. We simply reviewed the product and have no contact with the company
I just tried using your coupon code and it was not accepted, any other way to get discount on this product? It’s kinda expensive now
The coupon must have expired. You might try contacting the company with the coupon code and ask if they have a new one to offer.
Hi which are all the ingredients on each battle
If you click on the link to the product you’ll find all the information you need there.
Thanks for the great review! Just wanted verification from what I figured was a real person not bots!? I will be preferring hoping my Montana vege garden does more than what it’s done the last couple try’s! Originally from WV with great garden experiences turned to nada out here in almost desert conditions!!
I am very real, indeed. Good luck with your Montana garden!
I know this post is a little old but just wanted to add that growing organically you will deal with a little oder, some of the fish fertilizers will gag you but are great for the soil which in turn is great for the plant! In reality we are feeding the soil which then feeds the plant…happy gardening ✌️
I hope this isn’t a stupid question but is there any chance of the sealed bottles exploding? She states in the above article ‘ the other two bottles were bulging… and needed to be applied asap, they are alive after all.’ I have a few indoor plants I’d like to try this product on and don’t want to worry about it sitting around on a shelf. Thank you for humoring me. ???
I think if you were to open the jars on occasion to let the air out, they will not run the risk of exploding. The lid screwed on tightly, so I’m not worried about that. But it might we worth addressing your concerns to the manufacturer to see what they have to say about it.
I also, tried this product thinking, yeah right another promising product, I am pleased to say that it produced what it said. To open yes stinky. However, not stinky in plants.
I was pleasantly surprised, 10 days in and my plants are growing and blooming. I shared with new plant parents and they love it. One is my daughter who steals a bottle when she comes to visit.
Since it smells so strong, would you use this for houseplants?
I was just looking for organic plant food and was wondering about this product. Thanks for your input, it sounds impressive. I just moved back to WI from Florida and some of my plants didn’t survive the trip so I wanted to help them in a last ditch effort to survive. So thank you for trying this out!
The product was originally designed for houseplants, so it’s probably fine. I’m guessing the scent will dissipate after a short time. But I would open the bottle and mix it outside for sure.