BOKASHI

Greens Are

Organic waste that is full of nitrogen. It is usually soft, fresh and moist. Because of the nitrogen “Greens” rots and putrefies very quickly causing bad smells. Good examples of “Greens” are

• Food waste
• Fresh green lawn clippings

Browns Are

Organic waste that is mainly carbon. It is dry brown and brittle. Because Browns are relatively free of nitrogen, they can take a very long time to breakdown. Good examples of “Browns” are

• Fallen autumn leaves
• Paper and card board
• Dry “browned-off” lawn clippings

Do Add

• Fresh fruit and Vegetables
• Prepared foods
• Cooked and uncooked meats, and fish
• Other food such as cheese, eggs, bread, coffee grinds and tea bags
• Wilted flowers

Don’t add

• Liquids such as milk, orange juice or oils
• Paper and plastic wrap
• Large meat bones

What is the sprinkle?

• It is an inoculant made from beneficial microorganisms, a bit like a yoghurt starter
• Is natural
• Contains sawdust, molasses
• Stops the compost from smelling by fermenting it like a pickle

1. Keep a small food waste container in the kitchen for your food scraps, and chop them up to golf ball size or smaller
2. Drain off any excess liquid
3. Spread the Bokashi sprinkle on the bottom of your bokashi bucket
4. Add food waste once or twice daily to the bokashi bucket
5. Add 1-2 tablespoons of bokashi sprinkle per 6cm layer of food.
6. Ensure you squash down the food to push out the air as you go; this helps to get rid of the air.
7. Close the bokashi bucket lid tightly after use.
8. Drain off liquid at least every 2 to 3 days from the bottom bucket.
9. When your bucket is full, close the lid and keep in a warm place, but out of direct sunlight
10. Leave for about 10-14 days – Don’t forget to keep draining off the liquid
11. The food waste should smell like pickles, and will develop a white mould on top this means the system is working well.

Liquid Fertiliser

What to do with the liquid?

In the home & garden

• Pour undiluted juice, directly into your toilet or down your shower or sink drains to help keep them clean
• Dilute the liquid at a ratio of 1:100 so 2-3 tablespoons to 5 litres of water. Apply this to the soil or the base of plants to help keep them healthy.

Solid Fertiliser

What to do with the solid?

In your garden & compost bin

• Dig a trench in your garden as deep as the bokashi bucket and twice long as a bokashi bucket laid flat
• Distribute the fermented food evenly along the trench
• Mix the food waste with the soil
• Cover over with at least 50-75mm of soil (if the soil is dry add water so composting can take place)
• After 3-4 weeks your fermented food waste turns into excellent compost and you can plant directly on top of it.
• If you can’t be bothered to dig a trench or you don’t have space in your garden you can add the solids to your compost bin as a “Greens” layer, simply spread it out and cover over with lots of “Brown” material. Check out our Compost page for more details

• When the weather is warmer, or if you add meat, cheese or fish, sprinkle 2 tablespoons more to ensure effective pickling to avoid smells
• The lid can be opened easily by pressing down on the centre of the circle points gently until the lid pops open
• White mould growing on top of the solids and the liquid is a good sign
• Using the liquid regularly down your sinks and toilets will help prevent build-up of algae and help keep them clean
• You can also use bokashi liquid juice as a spray on foliage, use a dilution ration of 1:500-1:100 so 1-2 teaspoons to 5 litres of water