Bokashi Composting ~ From Food Scraps to Soil in Weeks ~ Instructions for Home Use
Bokashi Composting can be added to existing compost piles and tumblers and will speed up the decomposition process.
1. Sprinkle bran
Sprinkle two hand-fulls of the Bokashi Bran into the bottom of the bucket. Use less for smaller size buckets.
Sprinkle two hand-fulls of the Bokashi Bran into the bottom of the bucket. Use less for smaller size buckets.
2. Add Food scraps to a kitchen container
Then add contents to your 5 gallon bucket with a tightly sealed lid. Smaller pieces recycle faster.
3. Sprinkle more bran each time organics are added
A few tables spoons for a small amount; a hand-full for a large amount.
Be sure to keep the lid on tight!
4. Repeat until bucket is full.
Press and compact contents for more space.
Press and compact contents for more space.
4. 5 If you bucket starts to smell bad ~ Drain The Liquid and add more bran.
Note: Liquid "tea" can be drained manually by tilting the bucket while holding back contents or through spigot, then diluted with water (1: 100) to use as a concentrated natural fertilizer for indoor or outdoor plants.
Note: Liquid "tea" can be drained manually by tilting the bucket while holding back contents or through spigot, then diluted with water (1: 100) to use as a concentrated natural fertilizer for indoor or outdoor plants.
5. Keep bucket in a cool dark place while it's fermenting.
The average time to fill a 5 gallon bucket is approximately 2-4 weeks. The contents will have a sweet pickle scent. That's normal.
The average time to fill a 5 gallon bucket is approximately 2-4 weeks. The contents will have a sweet pickle scent. That's normal.
5.5 NOTE: The appearance of a white fluffy mycelium is normal and indicates your material is ready to be composted.
Nice going ~ you did it right!
Nice going ~ you did it right!
6. Add contents of bucket to a compost unit, pile or directly into soil.
See Soil & Garden Results Below!
After pouring the material into a compost unit, trench, row, hole or compost pile, mix with soil/leaves and cover with remaining soil/material. The organic material will recycle into organic matter in just a few weeks depending on climate and soil conditions. Before winter definitely pre-dig a trench so organics can be buried.
NOTE: if you don't have a yard, using a large plastic container and lid make a soil and food scrap "lasagna" - think layers. Soil on bottom then food scraps then soil and repeat. Food scraps turn into organic matter in the soil in just weeks. Use the nutrient rich soil for landscape, patio and house plants.
See Soil & Garden Results Below!
After pouring the material into a compost unit, trench, row, hole or compost pile, mix with soil/leaves and cover with remaining soil/material. The organic material will recycle into organic matter in just a few weeks depending on climate and soil conditions. Before winter definitely pre-dig a trench so organics can be buried.
NOTE: if you don't have a yard, using a large plastic container and lid make a soil and food scrap "lasagna" - think layers. Soil on bottom then food scraps then soil and repeat. Food scraps turn into organic matter in the soil in just weeks. Use the nutrient rich soil for landscape, patio and house plants.
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6.5 Fermented food scraps and brown leaves/yard waste can be added to an existing compost pile, compost bins, the earth machine or layered with bagged top soil in a plastic storage container as well as burying directly into garden soil. Fermenting food scraps with Green Quest Bokashi bran in a bucket before adding into soil or any other composting unit will accelerate decomposition for a quicker return of soil amendment for gardens, landscaping beds, container gardens, potted plants and turf management.
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7. Rinse & Repeat.
It's important to keep your buckets and tools clean.
After each use be sure to wash, rinse and dry buckets, lids, strainers, spigots and garden tools. Clean buckets and lids can be stacked in a convenient place for re-use.
After each use be sure to wash, rinse and dry buckets, lids, strainers, spigots and garden tools. Clean buckets and lids can be stacked in a convenient place for re-use.
What to Compost
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THE YES LIST:
Fruits, Vegetables, Peels, Pulps and Cuttings Bread, Pastries Egg Shells, Seafood, Shellfish, Small Sea Shells and Cheese, Meat Prepared Foods, Coffee and Tea Grinds Plate Scraps, Left Overs Wilted Flowers and Dried Leaves Pits, Seeds, Nuts and Beans Grass Clippings Tofu, Yogurt Rice, Pasta, Salads |
THE NO LIST:
Liquids Soaps Milk Juices Oils Soda Plastic Wraps Bags Containers and Bottles Cans, Styrofoam and Rubber Bands |
Troubleshooting / FAQ's
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PROBLEM
White mold - Mycelium - appears on material Contents smell bad Contents smell bad Contents smell bad We are in and out of the bucket all day long. How can I keep it air tight with so many people adding food waste throughout the day? Green, black or dark grey mold appears on material. Harsh Winter ground is frozen - unable to bury organics. Strainer / Stand does not fit in the 3.5 gallon "Jersey Girl" Medium size Compost Kit. No Yard or Garden space to bury fermented food scraps Spigot or Spout is leaking on my Bokashi Compost kit. You'd like to divert food scraps from the Landfill but don't have what it takes to manage home composting. |
REASON
Material is fermenting properly!! Not enough bran added Liquid needs to be drained Lid has not been closed tightly For Bokashi composting to work properly it must remain an air tight environment or it will fail to ferment. Material has failed to ferment Organic Material will freeze and be preserved in the coldest winter months. This will slow down the microorganisms. The Colorful 3.5 gallon Compost Buckets are tapered at the bottom.**Do Not Force the Strainer/Stand into the bucket! ** Green Quest is not responsible for breakage from this action. Apartment or Condo Living - The spigot may have loosened during shipping and use. No time, money, space, etcetera . . . |
SOLUTION
Continue to fill bucket in the normal way then bury contents in garden away from roots of plants. Add more bran when you add material. Drain liquid more regularly – dilute 1:100 can be used as plant fertilizer. Liquid should be used right away and not stored. Make sure lid is closed tightly after each application. In the kitchen use an easily accessible well marked container like an old soup pot with lid or a clean plastic tub to put the days organics into. When that container is full add it to your Bokashi bucket rather than going in and out of the bucket throughout the day. Bury in a separate area away from gardens or can be disposed of with your refuse pick up if no other options. More buckets/lids can be purchased from Green Quest or local stores. After first thaw drain liquid. Bury organic material directly into soil or material can be layered into containers with soil or add, then cover deep into compost pile Use the Strainer/Stand as a Stand for counter top ease of use and the Strainer can be used to manually hold back contents while pouring off any additional liquid that has formed. Purchase a large plastic tub with lid - approx - 18 gallon (+/-) and bag of "clean" top soil (6"-8"). Add a few inches of top soil on the bottom of container then add food scraps and cover with a few inches of soil and repeat until full. Use this soil for all your planting needs - flowers, herbs, veggies. Container Gardening is on the upswing- Grow Your Own! After Cleaning - finger tighten to secure the seal. As an added precaution - slide a shallow saucer under the spout - especially during "juicy fruit season". Connect and network with a local neighbor, friend, farmer, community garden, landscaper, gardener, farmers market or compost business to divert you food scraps out of the landfill and back into the soil where they belong. |
Bokashi Composting Is Simple, Compact, Quick and Effective
Bokashi composting takes less time, labor and space requirements than traditional food waste composting. Whether you live in an apartment, condo or home you have the means to recycle your food efficiently.
Bokashi Composting with EM•1 is anaerobically digested in a bucket and uses bokashi bran as a compost accelerator. The bran contains Effective Microorganisms (EM•1) that ferment and break down food scraps so that they can be returned to and amend the soil. The fermentation gives off a sweet fermented scent that makes composting indoors easy. Bokashi helps to preserve the nutrient and vitamin content in your food waste so when its returned to the soil the material helps soil structure and increases water retention. Bokashi attracts worms and all forms of beneficial insects to your soil!
Bokashi is 100% natural, biologically active and safe compost that will reduce any odors from food waste and will re-rejuvenate soil to provide for the best healthy, disease resistant plants.
This process is approved for use in organic farming by OMRI and the USDA.
Bokashi Composting with EM•1 is anaerobically digested in a bucket and uses bokashi bran as a compost accelerator. The bran contains Effective Microorganisms (EM•1) that ferment and break down food scraps so that they can be returned to and amend the soil. The fermentation gives off a sweet fermented scent that makes composting indoors easy. Bokashi helps to preserve the nutrient and vitamin content in your food waste so when its returned to the soil the material helps soil structure and increases water retention. Bokashi attracts worms and all forms of beneficial insects to your soil!
Bokashi is 100% natural, biologically active and safe compost that will reduce any odors from food waste and will re-rejuvenate soil to provide for the best healthy, disease resistant plants.
This process is approved for use in organic farming by OMRI and the USDA.
