What is Bokashi Composting?

By Guest Author Tiffany Lei

Bokashi composting is an anaerobic process that uses EM (effective microorganisms) to ferment food scraps and turn them into ready-to-use garden fertilizer. The EM helps break down the kitchen wastes and prevents them from rotting and stinking. Bokashi differs from traditional composting in that it is a fermentation process and not a decomposition process. The beauty of Bokashi is that it can be done right in your kitchen and doesn’t require a big pile of yard scraps in a compost bin outdoors.

How bokashi composting works

The traditional composting process requires air, water, moisture, and regular stirring to speed decomposition (along with help from aerobic bacteria). In contrast, the Bokashi process only uses “bokashi bran” and an anaerobic (without oxygen) environment to ferment materials. Bokashi bran is developed from EM and rice or wheat bran mix. When added to food scraps, the fermentation creates a liquid fertilizer and pre-compost materials in just 2-4 weeks.

The Bokashi process is pretty simple: Mix bokashi bran with layers of food scraps and store it in an airtight bokashi bin for around 14 days. Every other day, drain off the leachate, aka “bokashi tea“, from the bokashi bucket to use as liquid fertilizer. By the end of 2 weeks, you’ll have a “pre-compost” fermented mixture that can be used as fertilizer for your garden or added to the compost pile to speed decomposition.

Materials needed for bokashi composting

Bokashi composting only requires a few materials and you can make it right in your kitchen.

Bokashi bin (bokashi bucket)

Some people use a standard large bucket with a lid to act as a bokashi bin. Though it costs more than an ordinary bucket, a bokashi bin is worth the price. Besides its large capacity, airtight lid, and sturdy construction, a bokashi bucket has a spigot to easily harvest the bokashi tea.

Bokashi bran

Bokashi bran is a necessity for the bokashi composting process. Many bokashi buckets include the bran with purchase.

Food scraps

You can use a wide range of food scraps and kitchen wastes for the bokashi composting process. Just about anything that was on your dinner plate can be added to the bokashi bin. Just make sure you break your food scraps into very small pieces before adding them to the bin to help them break down faster.

Acceptable food scraps for bokashi

• Dairy products and eggshells
• Tea bags and coffee grounds
• Fruits and vegetables
• Bread and grains
• Meat and bones

How to do bokashi composting at home

Step 1: Add bokashi bran and food scraps to the bokashi bucket

Sprinkle a small amount of bokashi bran on the bottom of the bucket. Then, add food scraps on top of the bokashi bran, but not more than a 2-inch thick layer.

Step 2: Squeeze the pile

Firmly squeeze down the food scraps and then sprinkle a tablespoon of bokashi bran on top of the scraps. If you don’t want to touch the scraps, use a small plate to “squeeze” the pile. Once you have added the food waste, seal with the lid.

Step 3: Repeat the process

For every 2-inch layer of food scraps you add, squeeze the pile, add a tablespoon of the bokashi bran, and replace the lid. Repeat the process till the bokashi bin is full.

Since the process works best with as little oxygen as possible, only open the lid when adding fresh materials.

Step 4: Harvest bokashi tea

You can harvest bokashi tea through the spigot on the bokashi bucket every other day. This should definitely be done on a regular basis as it may create a foul odor if left in the bokashi bucket. But do not use it full strength or you might damage your plants. Dilute the bokashi tea 10:1 with water before fertilizing your plants. Use the fertilizer within a day after harvesting.

Step 5: Leave your bokashi undisturbed for 2 weeks

Except for draining off the bokashi tea, do not disturb the bin for two weeks. Then, harvest the pre-compost fermented mixture at the end of the period. Add the pickled mixture to your worm bin or compost pile, or bury it in a shallow spot of the garden where it can be left to decompose without odors.

The bokashi composting process is easy to do at home, and requires limited space. Besides, it gives you ready-to-use bokashi tea and pre-compost in only two weeks.

Author Bio: Tiffany is the founder at Garden Guidepost. She is passionate about gardening and hopes to inspire more people to adapt to the gardening lifestyle and start composting.