Dried Whey as Fertilizer

Apr 15, 2023 09:08:13

I recently inherited a lot of dried whey from a family member. It's expired for human consumption but I didn't want it to go in the trash so I took it, thinking that it would make a good garden amendment.

Online searches show that it can be used as a fertilizer but most of the articles are using liquid whey from cheesemaking operations and not starting from the dried material. pH can be an issue for the liquid whey but I don't think it will be as much of a problem for the dried whey.

One idea I have is to mix some of the whey in water with wood ashes, balancing any pH issues. Then add a little yeast and let this ferment for a few days. We don't have livestock or I would add some manure to the mix.

Has anyone ever done something like this? Any ideas on what else to add to the whey brew?

Apr 16, 2023 00:08:03

why would you want to ferment it? i used incidentally diluted whey as fertilizer for blueberries with good effect. spearmint didn't like it as much (grew in an unexpected leggy fashion), maybe due to the ph issues you mentioned. ashes would pair well.

Apr 16, 2023 08:27:34

Jonathan Ezell wrote:why would you want to ferment it?

It will probably work just fine unfermented but adding microbes will help break down the protein structure of the whey. I'm thinking that a bokashi inoculant would work well. And it's what I have on hand.

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