The key to the success of this system is
the specifically designed Bokashi Bucket, and the use of EM
Bokashi.
Bokashi is a Japanese term that means
“fermented organic matter. EM Bokashi is a pleasant smelling
product made using a combination of sawdust and bran that has
been infused with Effective Micro-organisms (EM). EM Bokashi has
traditionally been used to increase the microbial diversity and
activity in soils and to supply nutrients to plants.
Place your kitchen waste into the
bucket, then sprinkle a hand full of EM Bokashi over the
waste.
Repeat this layering process until the
Bokashi Bucket is full.
Drain off liquid (Bokashi juice) as
necessary.
Once the bucket is full to capacity, the
waste can be buried. If you have two Bokashi Buckets, begin the
process again in your second bucket. Let the waste from the
first Bokashi Bucket continue to ferment for 10-14 days or for
any additional length of time. Then, bury the waste and wash out
Bokashi Bucket ready to use when your second Bokashi Bucket is
full. If you have only one Bokashi Bucket the waste can be
buried as soon as it is full, obviously the waste on the top has
not had much or any chance to ferment, even so, the waste will
still break down quickly because of the micro-organisms mixed
in.
With two Bokashi Buckets the waste gets
extra time to ferment, you will get more of the valuable Bokashi
Juice and it is more convenient, however, this wonderful
composting system will still work with just one Bokashi Bucket.
Bokashi Compost will look different to
other compost that has decayed. As the food waste does not
breakdown or decompose while it is in the bucket, much of its
original physical property will remain and it will have a
pickled appearance. Breakdown of waste will occur after it has
been transferred to the soil.
Burying Bokashi Compost
Burying Bokashi waste in the soil will supply the plants with a
nourishing food source and condition your soil with enriching
microbes. The micro-organisms in the Bokashi mix significantly
accelerate the composting process.
Dig a hole
or trench approximately 20-25 cms deep. Add your Bokashi waste
and mix in some soil, cover with remaining soil.
Bokashi waste can be added to a conventional compost bin
Bokashi Juice
As the kitchen waste starts to ferment,
Bokashi Juice will form in the bottom of the bucket. This should
be drained off as it builds up.
Bokashi Juice can be diluted with
water and makes a terrific fertiliser for garden or pot
plants.
It can be poured down drains and it is
safe to use in septic tanks.
When used in drains it will help to clean
up our water ways by competing with harmful bacteria.
Please! Please! make
sure you don't unscrew the tap more than 3/4 of a turn. More
than this, may loosen central mechanism of the tap itself and
cause issues. In the case of a leaky tap, you may want to
call on the services of a handyman to repair the tap/spigot or
contact us for a spigot replacement.
