Maximizing Compost: Bokashi

In any search for information about healthy soil, whether through an internet search, a horticultural magazine, landscaping and gardening books, or talks on the topic, you will frequently encounter the topic of compost. Compost is amazing for our soil and plants, offering numerous benefits: it improves soil structure, reduces erosion, sequesters carbon, introduces beneficial organisms to our yards, and helps retain moisture and nutrients (Composting at Home, 2013). As someone who maintains vegetable gardens, flower beds, and planted trees and shrubs, I’m always in need of compost.

In my quest for more compost and my tendency to obsessively read about related topics, I discovered a form of composting that not only meets my needs but also significantly reduces my family's food waste. Allow me to introduce you to bokashi composting.

What is Bokashi Composting?

There is some debate about the age of bokashi composting, with similar ancient techniques documented in India, Korea, and Japan (Holmes, 2021). The modern resurgence of bokashi composting is attributed to Dr. Teruo Higa, a Japanese researcher who conducted significant work on the process in the 1980s (Holmes, 2021). Since then, there has been a surge of research and information on bokashi composting.

Bokashi composting is an anaerobic process used to break down kitchen scraps (Vanderlinden, 2008). Unlike traditional composting, bokashi can handle all types of kitchen waste. In my experience, I've used bokashi bins for forgotten leftovers containing meat, pasta, vegetables, vegetable scraps, fruit scraps, stale bread, and even bones after making broth. How is this possible?

The Bokashi Process

The initial step of bokashi composting doesn’t create compost in the traditional sense. Instead, everything is "pickled." It’s fascinating to see. However, contrary to some claims, bokashi bins do emit an odor. While I find it tolerable, my family prefers I open the buckets outside.

The primary challenge with bokashi composting is that it requires more steps than traditional composting. Here’s a simplified overview:

• Collect and Layer: Place your kitchen scraps in the bokashi bucket, sprinkling bokashi bran (containing essential microbes) over each layer. The bran is crucial, and there are many varieties available for purchase online.

• Seal and Rest: Seal the bucket and let it fill over time. Once full, let it rest for three or more weeks.

• Drain: Regularly drain the liquid produced during the process using the spigot on the bucket. While some claim this liquid can be used as a fertilizer if diluted, there's little research to support this. I pour it into my compost bin.

• Post-Rest Options: After the resting period, you have several options for using the bokashi "pre-compost."

Using Bokashi Pre-Compost

• Mix with Traditional Compost: My preferred method is to mix the bokashi pre-compost into my existing compost bin. This reactivates slow compost and helps me stay organized with minimal extra work.

• Direct Burying: Burying the pre-compost directly in an unused garden space is another effective method. It breaks down within two to three weeks, but you can’t plant anything in the area until it's fully decomposed. I found that plants struggled or died if planted too soon. Additionally, raccoons may dig up the fermented scraps.

• Soil Farming: This method involves mixing the bokashi pre-compost with garden soil in a bucket or tote and letting it break down. I find this method labor-intensive and inconvenient due to the need to empty the bucket later.

The Science Behind Bokashi

According to the dissertation “Analysis of the Nutrient Composition, Efficacy, and Sustainability of Bokashi Fertilizers” by Nisreen Abo-Sido, bokashi composting offers several benefits. When added to various crops, including tomatoes, peppers, and many tree crops, it increased yields (Abo-Sido, 2018). In cornfields, it increased beneficial microbes and aided the breakdown of organic matter in the soil. Bokashi also provided variable levels of nitrogen and phosphorus that were already bioavailable.

Conclusion

There are many bokashi kits available, and after engaging with various online communities, I’ve found that no single kit is superior to others. For me, reducing food waste and enhancing my composting efforts make bokashi composting worth the extra steps. However, be cautious when researching this topic, as there is a lot of misinformation to sift through.

By incorporating bokashi composting into your routine, you can improve your soil, reduce waste, and enjoy a more sustainable gardening practice.

References:

Composting At Home. (2013, April 17). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home

Holmes, M. (2021, January 14). What Is Bokashi Composting? Treehugger.

https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-bokashi-compo HYPERLINK "https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-bokashi-composting-5088917"s HYPERLINK "https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-bokashi-composting-5088917"ting-5088917

Vanderlinden, C. (2008, December 1). What You Need to Know About Bokashi Composting. The Spruce.

https://www.thespruce.com/basics-of-bokashi-composting-2539742

Abo-Sido, N. (2018). Analysis of the nutrient composition, efficacy, and sustainability of bokashi fertilizers. Wellesley College Digital Repository.

https://repository.wellesley.edu/object/ir787?utm_source=repository.wellesley.edu/thesiscollection/513 HYPERLINK "https://repository.wellesley.edu/object/ir787?utm_source=repository.wellesley.edu/thesiscollection/513&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages"& HYPERLINK "https://repository.wellesley.edu/object/ir787?utm_source=repository.wellesley.edu/thesiscollection/513&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages"utm_medium=PDF HYPERLINK "https://repository.wellesley.edu/object/ir787?utm_source=repository.wellesley.edu/thesiscollection/513&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages"& HYPERLINK "https://repository.wellesley.edu/object/ir787?utm_source=repository.wellesley.edu/thesiscollection/513&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages"utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages