Composting is an essential practice for any gardener or eco-conscious individual looking to reduce waste and improve the health of their garden. Traditional composting methods are well-known, but there is another, lesser-known method that is gaining popularity: Bokashi composting. This unique process uses beneficial microorganisms to ferment food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, making it an efficient and eco-friendly alternative to regular composting. In this guide, we will explore what Bokashi composting is, how it works, and why it is such an excellent choice for gardeners looking for an easy, chemical-free way to enrich their soil.
What is Bokashi Composting?
Bokashi composting is a method that originated in Japan. The word “Bokashi” means “fermentation” in Japanese, which perfectly describes the process. Instead of decomposing organic waste aerobically (with oxygen, like traditional composting), Bokashi composting occurs in an anaerobic environment (without oxygen). This method uses a special mix of microorganisms known as Effective Microorganisms (EM) to ferment food scraps quickly and efficiently.
While traditional composting can take months to break down food waste, Bokashi composting accelerates the process, turning food scraps into compost within just 2-4 weeks. Additionally, this method can handle a much broader range of kitchen waste, including meat, dairy, and cooked food, which are often excluded from regular composting.
Why Choose Bokashi Composting?
Bokashi composting offers several distinct advantages, especially for urban dwellers or anyone with limited space. Here are just a few reasons to consider this method for your garden:
1. Faster Processing Time
Unlike traditional composting, which can take several months to fully decompose organic matter, Bokashi composting requires just a few weeks to break down food scraps. This fast turnover makes it ideal for those who need a steady supply of compost or want to avoid having large amounts of waste accumulating in the garden.
2. Small Space Friendly
Bokashi composting is compact and doesn’t require a large outdoor space, making it perfect for urban gardeners, apartment dwellers, or those with small yards. The process can be done in a small sealed bin, which fits easily on a countertop or balcony.
3. Handles More Types of Waste
While traditional composting requires careful attention to avoid adding items like meat, cheese, or oily foods, Bokashi composting can handle a wide range of food scraps. This includes cooked food, dairy products, and even small bones, which would typically be problematic for traditional composting.
4. Creates Nutrient-Rich Compost
Bokashi composting produces a fermented product that enriches the soil with beneficial microorganisms. When you bury the fermented scraps in your garden, these microbes help break down the waste even further, promoting soil health and improving plant growth. The final compost is rich in nutrients, making it an excellent addition to your garden beds or container plants.
5. Reduced Odor
Bokashi composting is relatively odor-free, especially when compared to traditional composting, which can sometimes emit strong, unpleasant smells. The sealed bin and the fermentation process keep odors in check, making it ideal for indoor composting.
How Does Bokashi Composting Work?
Bokashi composting is a straightforward process, but it requires a specific setup and the use of specialized ingredients. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started with Bokashi composting:
1. Set Up Your Bokashi Bin
To begin, you’ll need a Bokashi bin, which is a sealed container that prevents oxygen from entering. These bins are available online or at most garden centers and are designed to handle the fermentation process. They typically come with a tight-fitting lid and a spigot at the bottom for draining excess liquid (known as “Bokashi tea”).
You’ll also need Bokashi bran, a mixture of wheat bran and Effective Microorganisms (EM), which is used to inoculate the food scraps and begin the fermentation process.
2. Add Food Scraps
Once you have your bin, start adding your food scraps. The best types of food to compost in a Bokashi system include fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, tea bags, cooked foods, dairy, and even small amounts of meat and bones. Avoid large quantities of citrus fruits and greasy foods, as these can inhibit the fermentation process.
As you add scraps, cover them with a layer of Bokashi bran. This layer acts as an inoculant, introducing the beneficial microorganisms that kickstart fermentation. It’s important to add the bran in small layers between food scraps to ensure proper coverage.
3. Seal the Bin
After adding the scraps and bran, seal the lid tightly. This is crucial for maintaining an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment that is necessary for fermentation. You may notice the bin becoming a little heavy as the scraps break down.
4. Wait for Fermentation
The fermentation process takes approximately 2 weeks. During this time, the food scraps will not “decompose” in the traditional sense but will undergo a fermentation process, turning into a pickled substance. Every few days, you can “press” the waste down with a weight or press to ensure that the scraps stay compact and reduce air pockets.
5. Drain Bokashi Tea
One of the benefits of Bokashi composting is the liquid byproduct that is created during the fermentation process. This liquid, known as Bokashi tea, can be drained from the bin through the spigot and used as a fertilizer for your plants. Bokashi tea is nutrient-rich and can be diluted with water and used as a liquid fertilizer for your garden.
6. Bury the Fermented Scraps
After 2 weeks, the food scraps will be fully fermented. At this stage, they are not fully composted, but they are broken down enough to be buried in your garden soil. Bury the fermented scraps in a small hole in your garden or compost pile. The scraps will continue to decompose further, and within a few weeks, they will turn into rich, nutrient-dense compost.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While Bokashi composting is generally a straightforward process, there are a few issues you might encounter along the way. Here are some tips for troubleshooting common problems:
1. Odor
If you notice a strong odor coming from your Bokashi bin, this could indicate that the food scraps are not fermenting properly. Ensure that you are sealing the bin tightly and that you are using enough Bokashi bran. If the smell is sour or rotten, it may also mean you are adding too many greasy or citrus foods.
2. Liquid Build-up
Excessive liquid in the bin can cause the scraps to sit in water and slow down the fermentation process. To prevent this, make sure you drain the liquid regularly by using the spigot at the bottom of the bin. If the bin seems to be too wet, try reducing the amount of moist foods added and consider adding more Bokashi bran to absorb excess moisture.
3. Incomplete Fermentation
Sometimes, food scraps may not ferment properly if they are not evenly covered with the Bokashi bran or if the bin is not sealed tightly enough. Make sure to add the bran in small layers and press down the scraps to minimize air pockets.
Benefits of Bokashi Composting for Your Garden
Incorporating Bokashi composting into your gardening routine offers several benefits, including:
1. Enhanced Soil Health
The beneficial microorganisms that thrive in the Bokashi compost system will improve your soil’s microbial diversity, leading to healthier plants and more resilient soil. These microbes also help to break down organic matter in the soil, making nutrients more available to plants.
2. Sustainable Gardening
By composting food scraps that would otherwise go to a landfill, you reduce the amount of waste sent to waste sites and contribute to a more sustainable gardening practice. This method of composting helps close the loop on food waste and reduces your overall environmental footprint.
3. Improved Plant Growth
Bokashi compost is rich in nutrients and essential minerals that plants need to grow strong and healthy. When you use Bokashi compost in your garden, you’re enriching your soil with a natural, chemical-free fertilizer that promotes plant vitality.
Conclusion
Bokashi composting is an efficient, eco-friendly way to compost kitchen waste, and it offers numerous benefits for gardeners looking to enhance their soil and reduce waste. By following these simple steps, you can quickly and easily compost food scraps, enrich your garden, and contribute to a more sustainable environment. Whether you have a large garden or just a small container garden, Bokashi composting is a great way to recycle your kitchen waste while promoting healthier plants and soil.