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Arrowwind
31st May 2011, 18:54
In my endeavors to find a way to avoid the work of a compost pile I have been working with this system of composting.


It originates from Japan where most of their waste is bokashi composted. Some areas even Bokashi human waste. It is a system of innoculating waste matter with living micro-organisms.. this will compost quickly.


I have a large black trash pail that I put my garden wastes and weeds into to compost them. If you cut the bottom out of your pail and locate it in a fallow part of your garden then when it is done you merely pull the bucket off and rake it into your trench to bury.



It is a method of innoculating your refuse with friendly lacto bacteria. After the innoculation is complete you bury the compost, (only partially composted at this point) into your garden


You can purchase the innoculant from a Bokashi outlet on line or you can make your own as I have done. I have also recently found out that you can purchase an EM innoculant and somehow turn it into many gallons of EM but I have lost the instructions... will keep looking.


First a couple of videos on the Wheat Bran form of Innoculant. Instead of wheat bran I innoculate newspapers. Once the newspapers are innoculated they are used to innoculate your garbage in your compost bucket, alternately layering compost and newspaper. The bucket should just site for at least 2 weeks before you bury it in your garden... hence I have two buckets going all the time


when you look around for furthr info you will see that many sites are trying to sell you EM and Bokashi buckets. The buckets are an unnecessary expense. I use regular 5 gallon buckets on which I have placed gamma lids for easy access. You don't need that drain spout. If you live in the city or apartment the buckets may be handy though.


Youtube offers many videos on Bokashi... here are a few.


This one is the first I watched. It tells how to do it with the bran method and the purchased EM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96fSXccQx9Q&feature=player_embedded


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp3kQhGeZIc


This following video tells of stretching the EM. Some where there are actual mix instructions to make tons of it from one bottle...still looking


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7Or5v7T9EQ&feature=related


Here it is.. how to really stretch your EM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BttGnPHRFT4&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BttGnPHRFT4&feature=related)


www.gardenerspantry.ca (http://www.gardenerspantry.ca)


Here is the instructions for making your own EM type of forumula. This is what I have been using over the past year. I may consider doing the process in the last video I posted above as I already have most of the ingredients.


COLLECTING WILD LACTOBACILLUS
Combine 1 part rice to 2 parts water. Shake or stir vigorously. Drain. The water will be cloudy. Lightly cover it. (Canning jar and ring to hold a coffee filter, cheesecloth or piece of paper towel should work) Air should be able to move in and out. The liquid should fill only 1/4 to 1/2 of the jar. Need a LOT of air exposure. Place in a cool dark place for 4 - 8 days. It should smell somewhat sour. Strain out any particles.


PURIFYING THE LACTOBACILLUS
Put the ricewater in a larger container. Add 10 parts milk or skim milk. Cover lightly, ferment for 14 days. Most of he solids should float to the top, leaving a yellowish liquid. Strain off the solids. This is your purified lactobacillus serum. (Don't you feel like a real scientist now?)


INNOCULATING YOUR NEWSPAPER
Take 1 part serum, 1 part molasses and 6 parts water. Soak newspapers, then drain. Put the newspaper in ziplock bags, squeeze air out and ferment for 10 days to 2 weeks. Remove newspaper, separate the layers and lay them out to dry.

Carmen
31st May 2011, 19:53
Bokashi is an excellent system. One wee word of warning though. I used it a couple of seasons ago in my greenhouse, and the rats thought it was Really Good, warmth and food!!!!

Arrowwind
31st May 2011, 21:22
Yes, that will remind me to make sure the greenhouse, when we build it is vermin proof..
I started seedlings in our sunroom this spring and the mice took them all out... back to the garage as it is mouse proof.
haven't had problems in the actual garden though.
Cats will arrive next week...;)

Carmen
31st May 2011, 22:12
Cats is good!!! I have a hole in my greenhouse!! The cats sunbathe in there, so, no rats and they do a great job with the mice. My young cats I have to educate about the hens though. I observed the other day one of my cats heading past my bedroom with a very large bird in its mouth only to discover it was one of my half grown hens. Hen was quite relaxed and unhurt. Cat couldnt understand, it must be a bird its got feathers!!!