Let’s Talk about Bokashi Again

I have the feeling there will be several posts about bokashi (or as my chiro calls it, Kabootie).

I received my bokashi mix two days ago and began my trash fermenting process. When I knew I was going to embark on the bokashi road, I started freezing my food scraps waiting for the mix to arrive. When it came, I had a few bags of scraps to get it started.

Backing up a Bit

When I made my first bokashi bucket, I learned a thing or two so my second bucket is a bit better. For the spigot, instead of a lotion cap, I used the spigot from the 2.5 gallon Poland Springs jug. I like it better than the cap.

For the drainage screen, I duct taped together 3 Styrofoam plates and stuck holes in them. To the bottom of the plates I glued four plastic 1 oz shot glasses (purchased from the Dollar Store). The shot glasses are the perfect height to elevate the plate just above the spigot.

Here’s a picture of bucket #2.

Here’s a video with a better view of the drainage plate.

Back to Bokashi

I’m not going to take a photo of the bokashi scraps because there are tons of pictures online showing how bokashi works. I find the photos rather unattractive, so I won’t bother to show you guys my trash. What I will share, however, is the aroma.

I’m on day 3 of adding scraps to the bucket and my trash has never smelled so good. Every time I open the bucket I sort of brace myself waiting for the 1-2 punch of rancid trash smell, but it never happens. As a matter of fact, the smell is almost refreshing.

I’ve created a bokashi food scrap bucket and placed a reminder sign on the household kitchen trashcan to put food scraps in the bokashi trash receptacle. I’ve caught myself a few times almost throwing a banana peel or grapefruit peel in the trash. The “Stop” sign is a good reminder.

Two and a Half Days of Tea

This morning I decided to check for the nutrient-rich tea. Lo and behold, we had tea (you don’t know how excited I was to find tea).

I immediately diluted some of the tea and watered my houseplants. I’ve heard the tea to water ratio is 1:100 or even 1:1000. I poured about 1 tablespoon into a ½ gallon container and filled it with water. If the ratio is incorrect, my plants will let me know.

I’m truly excited about the tea because it will be of tremendous help with my container garden, providing I actually plant something.