Bokashi
What is Bokashi?
Nature knows best. But Nature does need help.
Left alone, it takes thousands of years for the earth’s forces to build good soil. By mixing soil with compost—which adds micro-organisms, arthropods, worms and humus to the soil—we can create a nutrient-rich environment within months or years. Composting also turns waste that might otherwise go to a landfill or incinerator into a useful product for gardening, landscaping, houseplants and forests.
Bokashi is a quick, easy, odour-free way to transform kitchen waste into super soil conditioner. The unique process produces nutrient-packed compost in less than half the time of conventional methods (4-6 weeks instead of 6-8 months) without the unpleasant smell or tedious work. The process is so simple, anyone can do it. Already communities, families, neighbours and ammas throughout Auroville are making bokashi from their kitchen waste. Simply put kitchen waste into the bucket, add EM-activated rice bran, and drain and compress as necessary.
Bokashi is better for you, and better for the environment. Because of the sealed bucket, waste becomes compost without releasing methane into the air. Because it doesn’t smell and is easy to do, you can apply the compost to your own garden. And because many people don’t want or need compost at home, Bokashaama will come collect your soon-to-be compost and donate it to Auroville forests or farms.
Bokashi is different. “Bokashi” is Japanese for “fermented organic matter.” Bokashi composting takes place entirely in an airtight bucket, which accelerates fermentation. As such, this compost looks different than other compost that has decayed. The food waste does not breakdown or decompose while it is in the bucket, so much of its original physical property will remain and it will have a pickled appearance when ready to use.
Complete the cycle: Use Bokashi!
How to Bokashi
STEP 1: Separate your kitchen waste.
Place any discarded food, peels, egg shells, tea bags, or other biodegradable items into the bokashi bucket. You can also include some non-recyclable paper like greasy leftover bakery wrappings. If any of the pieces are too large, it’s beneficial to cut them into smaller pieces.
STEP 2: Add EM-activated rice bran.
Sprinkle a handful of EM-activated rice bran into the bokashi bucket every time you add your kitchen waste.
STEP 3: Drain off liquid and compact contents as necessary.
A couple times a week, open the tap and tilt the bucket to drain the bokashi juice. When mixed with water, this liquid becomes an incredible nutrient-rich treat for plants. Also compress the contents (with a brick/bottle/etc.) from time to time to release excess juice and make more space in the bucket.
STEP 4: Repeat until the Bokashi Bucket is full.
ONCE THE BOKASHI BUCKET IS FULL, you can let it sit for 1-2 weeks (or longer)*, then:
Bury it. Bokashi can be buried directly in soil to supply the plants with a nourishing food source and condition your soil with enriching microbes. Simply dig a hole (at least a foot deep) around the plants or trees you want to nurture, add your fermented bokashi compost, mix with some soil, and bury.
Cover it. This process will make a powdery, dark compost that looks more like traditional compost. Dump the fermented bokashi compost outside, mix it with leaves, cover it with plastic, wait 2-4 weeks, and then sprinkle the final result around plants.
Feed it to the worms. If you have access to a vermibed, the worms love bokashi compost and transform it into a beautiful tealeaf-like-compost. Simply dump the fermented bokashi compost into the bin and wait 2-4 weeks.
Donate it to Auroville’s forests. Call Martanda at 9487493836 who will happily collect the compost and gratefully use it for growing plants and creating a healthy, natural environment.
- If you have only one Bokashi Bucket, you can proceed to the next step immediately but it will take longer to see results.
SO YOU KNOW:
The tap is particularly sensitive on all models. Be careful. For this reason, the bucket should sit on a raised surface with the tap hanging off.
If the bokashi starts to smell strongly, make sure the lid is sealed tight, and try adding more EM-activated rice bran.
A special type of fly larvae, which closely resembles maggots in physical appearance, may develop in your bokashi bucket. This is normal—even good. The larvae is most often introduce to the bucket by peels or other items we threw in, it accelerates the process, and the resulting flies will not stay around your house.
Resources
There are many resources on the web for learning about Bokashi. Check out a few of them:
How to Use the All Seasons Indoor Composter Kit: http://www.scdprobiotics.com/How_To_Use_the_All_Seasons_Indoor_Composter_Kit_s/331.htm
100 Things That Are Getting Better,Oprah's website: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/100-Things-That-Are-Getting-Better/2
Quick and Not So Dirty: No-Sweat Composters, The Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107204574471330808326984.html
Contacts in Auroville
The information above has been supplied by Aurovilians Martanda (joyousoffering@gmail.com) and Margarita (margarita@auroville.org.in). Contact them to learn more.