Ballsing up bokashi
Mmn. I have a feeling I did something wrong here…
As so often when I try something new, the first attempt is a dismal failure. My bokashi compost is a load of old skank.
I was so excited when I bought these things – two ‘family size’ bokashi bins that were so clean and neat and – I fondly thought – would save me the endless slog to the compost heap and back in my leaky Uggs (note to self – next time put the compost heap closer to the house).
I dutifully layered my household scraps with my bokashi starter, and drained off the liquid to use as drain cleaner, but being me, managed to fill both bins (two month’s capacity) in a week. This is what happens when you decide to make 40 jars of apple compote.
Still, so far so good. The fermenting compost smelled very nice (since it was mostly apples) and the liquid actually looked quite a lot like cider. Come to think of it, it practically IS cider.
Anyway. The only problem was, it didn’t seem to be breaking down. And now, after leaving it for three months, it’s become perfectly apparent that it isn’t. I tipped out both composters just now, and all that’s in there is a compressed brick of kitchen paper and food scraps, looking pretty much as it did when it went in. Nothing like the pictures of what it’s supposed to.
Oh la. Back to the drawing board with this one. Doubtless I didn’t use enough bokashi or something…
Hi there,
Don’t give up!! You did everything right. You won’t get soil in the bin itself. The thing with Bokashi is that it still looks like food after its fermented. Just like picked cucumbers or whatever. If you don’t see much change then it’s doing what it should, otherwise it would have turned into a rotting ugly mess. The thing is, a lot has happened that you don’t see. The food has been broken down into its component proteins and amino acids and the like, this is the stuff that plants can take up directly. If you dig down the contents of your fermented bins (or lay the stuff out and cover with soil) it will turn into super soil in no time. You’ve lost no carbon to the atmosphere and its better food for your plants than anything else you can think of. If you want you can tip them in your traditional compost. Cover over with leaves or garden waste. You’ll find it speeds up your compost and the microbes will find their way into the rest of the bin making it a much more valuable compost for your plants.
So have another go! And it won’t help to add more bokashi, you actually need very little to make it work. If it’s not smelling you’re adding enough. Sounds like you generate a lot of good food waste and its a damn shame not to let your plants have it directly!
/JennyH
more info/pics on my blog bokashiworld.wordpress.com
Comment by JennyH — 16 April 2009 @ 9:38 am
I recently began to use Bokashi, and I’m really happy about it. it is a very good way to compost.
Comment by Bokashi Morgane — 8 September 2009 @ 5:05 am
Hi Trish,
Sad to read that you’re not happy with your Bokashi. Seems like you did everything right though! I personally am very satisfied with my Bokashi and I think its wonderful. I live in a very small place, but it is a really good way to compost.
Maybe you should give it another chance?
Anyway, thanks for a good read.
Roel
Comment by Roel Bokashi — 17 February 2010 @ 6:43 am