DIY Bokashi Kit

DIY Bokashi Kit: Transform Your Kitchen Waste into Garden Gold!

 

Introduction

Creating your own DIY Bokashi kit is a brilliant idea! Bokashi composting is a fantastic way to recycle kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost, and it’s easier than you might think. In this guide, I'll walk you through the process of setting up your own Bokashi system using a couple of buckets and some basic materials.

     

What You’ll Need

  1. Buckets with Sealed Lids: Any size will do, depending on the amount of waste you generate.
  2. Cardboard: Tear up some cardboard to use as a base layer in your buckets.
  3. Bokashi Bran: This is your live culture, essential for fermenting the waste.
  4. Potato Masher or Tamper: To press down the waste and remove air.
  5. Kitchen Waste: Any organic kitchen scraps like cauliflower, broccoli, tea bags, etc.

Getting Started

  1. Prepare Your Buckets: If you want to add a tap (spigot) for draining excess liquid, you can do so. Alternatively, you can create a drainage area by placing biochar at the bottom of your bucket. However, the simplest method is to use a bucket without any holes.

  2. Add Cardboard: Shred enough cardboard to fill the bottom of your bucket. This layer will absorb excess liquid and balance the greens and browns in your compost.

  3. Add Bokashi Bran: Sprinkle a couple of handfuls of Bokashi bran onto the cardboard. This helps kickstart the fermentation process.

Collecting and Adding Waste

  1. Kitchen Caddy: Use a small container in your kitchen to collect daily food scraps. This can be a caddy that hangs on the back of your kitchen door. It's convenient and reduces the need to open your Bokashi bucket frequently, which is crucial for maintaining the anaerobic environment.

  2. Layering Waste and Bokashi: Each time you add waste to the bucket, sprinkle a layer of Bokashi bran over it. When starting your Bokashi bucket, be generous with the bran to establish the system.

  3. Mash Down the Waste: Use your potato masher or tamper to press down the waste, removing as much air as possible. This helps the fermentation process and allows the cardboard to absorb excess liquid.

Sealing and Fermentation

  1. Seal the Lid: Once you’ve added the waste and Bokashi bran, mash it down, and seal the bucket with its lid. This ensures the anaerobic conditions needed for Bokashi fermentation.

  2. Fermentation Time: Leave the bucket to ferment for at least two weeks. During this period, the Bokashi bran will break down the waste into nutrient-rich compost.

Using Your Bokashi Compost

After Fermentation: Once your bucket is full and has fermented for at least two weeks, you can use the compost in various ways:

  • Direct Application: Add the fermented Bokashi directly to your raised garden beds. Within a couple of weeks, it will integrate into the soil, enriching it.
  • Soil Factory: Create a "soil factory" by mixing the Bokashi compost with soil to produce highly nutritious planting material. Search online for detailed instructions on setting up a soil factory.
  • Traditional Compost Bin: Add the Bokashi compost to your regular compost bin to accelerate the composting process and enhance the overall quality of your compost.

    Benefits of DIY Bokashi Composting

    • Sustainable Waste Management: Reduce kitchen waste and carbon emissions by recycling organic material at home.
    • Nutrient-Rich Soil: Improve soil health, which translates into better nutrition and taste in your home-grown vegetables.
    • Eco-Friendly Gardening: Close the loop in your gardening system, creating a self-sustaining cycle that benefits both your garden and the environment.
         

    Our Video Guide

    By making your own DIY Bokashi kit, you're taking a significant step towards sustainable living and healthier gardening. Happy composting!

    If you're looking to start with one of our kits pop on over to https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/bokashi-composting

    Or if you want to start with some simple Bins and Bokashi from us - order our new Budget bundle here https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/products/budget-bokashi-composting-bundle

    If you'd just like some bokashi with some setup instructions order our pack here - ideal if you are buying some other bins https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/products/diy-bokashi-composting-kit-bokashi-bran-instructions

    And, of course, order more Bokashi Active Bran Here https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/bokashi-active-bran

    Once you are up and started don't forget our Bokashi Support Page here https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/pages/bokashi-support

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