You've probably been thinking about starting to compost. You're motivated to reduce the amount of waste you throw away, and if you have a few pots or a small garden on your balcony, you know your plants would love a boost of natural nutrients.
However, it's normal to have some doubts: Do I really have to wait months for the compost to be ready? What if my kitchen ends up smelling bad or annoying bugs appear? Especially if you live in a small apartment in the city, space is often the biggest enemy.
Well, you can put those fears aside because there's a wonderful solution called the Bokashi method . This system is the lifeline of urban composting , as it solves the problems of odor and space in one fell swoop, allowing you to transform your waste into black gold for the earth without complications.
Get ready, because we're going to explain step by step how to take the plunge and start your own organic recycling plant at home.
What exactly is the Bokashi system?
The word Bokashi comes from Japanese and literally translates as fermented organic matter . Unlike traditional composting, where the mixture must be aerated and dry and wet materials carefully balanced, Bokashi uses a much shorter process.
Instead of waiting the usual 90 days, this method can reduce the waiting time to just 14 or 20 days thanks to the use of accelerating microorganisms.
These microorganisms, also known as inoculum, are a potent mixture of lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, enzymatic fungi and photosynthetic bacteria, all combined with bran and molasses.
By adding these invisible "superheroes" to food scraps, the decomposition process is accelerated, preventing food from rotting and eliminating the appearance of pathogens thanks to the controlled temperatures reached between 40 and 55 degrees Celsius.
The keys to avoiding bad smells and pests
One of the biggest concerns when composting indoors is the smell. In the case of Bokashi, this isn't a problem because it's an anaerobic fermentation , meaning it occurs without oxygen.
By sealing the container tightly, the microorganisms work in an environment where there is no putrefaction, but rather fermentation. The result is a mild aroma, similar to vinegar or apple pie, ensuring your kitchen continues to smell wonderful.
For the system to work smoothly, it's essential to avoid two common mistakes: excessive moisture and over-saturation with waste. If the contents are too wet, an unpleasant odor may develop.
Therefore, it is vital to press the remains well to eliminate air pockets and regularly empty the liquid that accumulates at the bottom, preventing the material from stagnating.
Tools needed to get started
To set up your system at home you don't need a huge investment, but you do need some specific elements to ensure the success of the process:
- Bokashi Cube: It should be an airtight container, preferably with a tap at the base to extract the leachate and an inner lid to compact the waste.
- Bokashi inoculum or bran: It is the activator that contains the microorganisms necessary to start fermentation.
- Measuring tools: A small glass to collect the liquid and a measuring cup to add the exact dose of activator (usually about 20 ml per layer).
- Freezing container (optional): If you generate little waste per day, you can freeze it first so that it does not degrade before going into the bin.
Step-by-step guide to making your payment
Getting started is very simple and quickly becomes a kitchen routine. Follow these steps to avoid mistakes:
1. Preparing the bottom: If this is your first time using the bin, sprinkle a generous layer of activator (about 40 ml). If you already have some leftover compost from a previous batch, you can leave a little old compost at the bottom to act as a seed starter.
2. Add the waste: Add a layer of organic waste, preferably chopped into small pieces so that the microorganisms can work faster. It is recommended to mix fresh and dry material in the same layer.
3. Microorganism layer: On the remains, spread the dose of Bokashi bran (approximately 20 ml per liter of residue).
4. Compaction and closing: Press down on the mixture with the inner lid or a spatula to expel as much air as possible and close the lid tightly. Repeat this process each time you add organic waste until the bin is full.
5. Resting and fermentation: Once the container is full, leave it closed and unopened for about two weeks. During this time, remember to drain the liquid fertilizer from the tap every 2 or 3 days .
What can we add and what should we avoid?
One of the great advantages of Bokashi is that it's much more forgiving than other methods. Here's a breakdown of what your composter can handle:
- Permitted: Kitchen scraps for preparing compostfruits, vegetables, greens pre-cooked foodmeat, fish, cheeses, yogurts, coffee grounds, eggshells and small amounts of ash or hair.
- Not recommended: Chemicals, medicines, oils, vinegars, juices, liquid milk, very large bones, very hard nut shells and animal droppings, as they could introduce dangerous pathogens.
How to take advantage of the result: the solid and the liquid
After two weeks of steeping, you'll obtain two wonderful products. First, there's the leachate, or "Bokashi tea ." This liquid is a concentrated nutrient that, diluted in a 1:100 ratio (100 ml per liter of water), makes an excellent fertilizer for irrigation. Furthermore, if you pour it undiluted down the drain, it helps clean pipes by digesting the organic matter that has accumulated.
On the other hand, we have pre-compost or digestate . It's important to know that this material is not yet soil; it's fermented matter that can be very harsh on roots.
To use it, you have two options: bury it directly in the soil (away from plants) or mix it with potting mix in an aerated container. After another 3 or 4 weeks of aerobic decomposition, you'll have a rich fertilizer for your family garden , ready for your pots.
If you live in an apartment and have nowhere to bury the resulting compost, don't worry. You can look for municipal collection points , community gardens, or even donate it to a neighbor with a garden. It's a fantastic way to close the organic waste cycle and drastically reduce your carbon footprint.
Implementing this system at home allows you to transform everyday waste into a valuable resource for nature, optimizing space and eliminating hygiene problems.
Thanks to the action of efficient microorganisms, we obtain a powerful fertilizer and soil regenerator that benefits plant health while reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
