Answers to common Bokashi Composting questions to help you succeed with Bokashi composting.
Bokashi Recipe & Bokashi Bran Bokashi To make your own Bokashi (in this recipe) you'll need some bran (or some other dried plant material), some EM-1®, molasses, and fresh water. A 50-pound bag of wheat bran made into bokashi costs about $22 to make
Bokashi composting and traditional composting are both effective methods of recycling organic waste, but they have different advantages and are better suited to different circumstances, rather than one being outright better than the other. In summary
Having two Bokashi bins is not a necessity, but it is highly recommended for continuous composting. When one bin fills up and needs to ferment for two weeks, you can start adding your kitchen waste to the second bin. This system ensures that you can
Yes, you can put rotten food in a Bokashi bin. Bokashi composting is an anaerobic process that ferments organic waste, including food scraps that may have already started to decompose. The effective microorganisms (EMs) in the Bokashi bran work to fe
Yes, you can put moldy food in a Bokashi bin. Bokashi composting is an anaerobic process that ferments organic waste, including moldy food, without producing foul odors. The effective microorganisms (EM) in the Bokashi bran help prevent the growth of
Yes, you can put egg shells in a Bokashi bin. Egg shells are beneficial to the Bokashi composting process as they add calcium to the compost, which can be beneficial for plant growth. However, it's a good practice to crush the egg shells before addin
Yes, you can put coffee grounds in your Bokashi bin. Coffee grounds are a great addition to the Bokashi composting process. They are rich in nitrogen, which is beneficial for the fermentation process and ultimately enriches the soil when the compost
Yes, onion scraps can go into a Bokashi bin. While onions are compostable and can be fermented in the Bokashi process, it's important to note that they have a strong smell and high sulfur content which might not be completely eliminated during the fe
Yes, you can put hair in a Bokashi bin. Hair is organic and will break down over time. However, because it decomposes very slowly, it should be added in small quantities to ensure it does not interfere with the overall fermentation process of your Bo
In a Bokashi composting system, most organic kitchen waste can be composted, including items that are often problematic in traditional composting methods, such as meats and dairy products. However, there are still a few items that should not be place
No, it is not recommended to put dog poo or any pet feces in a Bokashi bin designed for kitchen waste fermentation. Bokashi composting for kitchen waste is intended to handle food scraps, including fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy, and is not suit
Yes, you can store Bokashi liquid. It should be kept in a cool, dark place and used within one month to ensure its effectiveness. If you're not planning to use it immediately, diluting the liquid with water (1:100 ratio for watering plants or 1:300 f
To dry Bokashi pre-compost, follow these steps:. Once your Bokashi bin has fermented for the recommended period (usually two weeks), remove the pre-compost from the bin. Spread the Bokashi pre-compost in a thin layer over a wide, flat surface, such a
You will want to let the Bokashi ferment for at least 2 weeks, but you are welcome to let it ferment for a few extra weeks. Once completed fermenting you can store wet as long as you keep it air tight or you can dry it out. Here is the recipe:
Bokashi composting involves a two-stage process: initial fermentation followed by decomposition. In the first stage, kitchen waste mixed with Bokashi bran ferments in a sealed bin for about two weeks. After fermentation, the material is not fully dec
If you leave Bokashi too long beyond the typical fermentation period of two weeks, a few things may happen:. Over-fermentation: The content may become overly acidic, potentially affecting the microbial balance. This doesn't necessarily harm the compo
For general use there is not a difference between wet and dry Bokashi. Dried bokashi can be used in litter boxes and pet cages without adding moisture. Dive into more help articles and FAQ's about Bokashi composting at Teraganix.
Yes, it's important to drain the liquid from a Bokashi food waste recycling system. The liquid, often referred to as "Bokashi tea" or "Bokashi juice," is a byproduct of the fermentation process that occurs when kitchen scraps are broken down with Bok
This is most likely to be the yeast clumping, which is totally normal. Make sure it doesn't smell rotten.
Blue mold in your Bokashi bin is likely a sign of contamination by unwanted fungi. While white mold is common and indicates a healthy fermentation process, blue or green mold suggests exposure to air or the presence of materials that should not be in
Once the waste has been fermented for 2 weeks it no longer needs to be airtight. If you would like to bury the waste it will break down faster or if adding to an existing compost pile you can cover with a tarp for a faster process, but open air
You can use and store Bokashi when it is wet, there is no need to dry it out. Make sure you store in an airtight container.
It is recommended to drain the liquid from your Bokashi bin every 2 to 3 days. This Bokashi tea, or leachate, is a byproduct of the fermentation process and should be drained regularly to prevent bad odors and ensure the effective fermentation of you
Your Bokashi bin might not be producing liquid due to a few reasons:. Not Enough Waste: If you're not adding enough waste to the bin, there might not be enough volume to generate liquid. Dry Waste Materials: Some types of waste, such as dry bread or
Bokashi composting enriches the soil in several ways:. Nutrient Enrichment: Bokashi introduces a wide range of nutrients into the soil, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential for plant growth. The fermentation process help
Yes, you can use the same soil repeatedly with Bokashi pre-compost, but with some considerations. Bokashi pre-compost enriches the soil with beneficial microorganisms and nutrients, making it more fertile over time. However, to maintain soil health a
You can determine if your Bokashi batch has gone bad by observing the following signs:. Unpleasant Odor: A successful Bokashi fermentation process should produce a smell that is slightly sweet, sour, or similar to pickles. If the bin emits a foul, ro
Yes, using too much Bokashi bran can lead to issues in the composting process. While Bokashi bran is essential for fermenting kitchen scraps effectively, an excessive amount can absorb too much moisture, leading to a drier mix that might not ferment
When using Bokashi for your dog, whether it's wet or dry can matter depending on how you're using it. If you're referring to Bokashi fermented pet waste or a Bokashi supplement for pet health:. Wet Bokashi typically refers to the freshly fermented ma
Yes, Bokashi pre-compost can be fed to worms, but it should be done with caution. The acidic nature of Bokashi pre-compost needs to be neutralized before introducing it to your worm bin to avoid harming the worms. One way to do this is by allowing th
Maggots appearing in your Bokashi bin can be the result of flies laying eggs on the food waste, particularly if the bin is not sealed properly or if there are gaps where flies can enter. This situation might also occur if the Bokashi bran is not bein
Bokashi composting is less likely to attract rodents compared to traditional composting methods. This is because Bokashi composting is an anaerobic process that ferments organic waste inside a sealed container, which helps contain odors and makes it
The 2-week fermenting time for a Bokashi Recycling System starts when the Bokashi bucket is full and you have added your last layer of organic waste. After adding your final waste layer, ensure it's properly covered with a layer of Bokashi bran, then
Adding seeds to your Bokashi bucket is generally not recommended. The Bokashi composting process is anaerobic, meaning it occurs in the absence of oxygen and relies on the fermentation of organic waste, facilitated by effective microorganisms (EM). H
Bokashi composting, when done correctly, should not produce a foul odor. The process is designed to ferment kitchen waste anaerobically (without oxygen), which typically results in a slight, sour smell similar to pickles or sauerkraut. If your Bokash
Bokashi Food Waste Recycling System Ideally this system is so you can fill one bucket while the other is fermenting.
Remember that bokashi composting doesn't result in the same kind of finished compost that traditional composting does. Instead, it creates a pre-compost material that is rich in beneficial microorganisms. Once you bury this material in your garden, i
The main problem with Bokashi composting is that the fermented waste cannot be used directly as compost in the garden but must first be buried in soil or added to a traditional compost pile to finish decomposing. This additional step can be a drawbac