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…