Getting Gold From Your ‘Garbage’…
My head is filled with all things composting today! This week I was fortunate enough to score to new compost systems from the same garage sale. Which in turn got me to thinking about how I could best use these new acquisitions.
To begin with I already had a few different compost operations that I’m exploring. The goal being two fold. One, to reduce waste while two, amending the soil. I use a regular black bin for garden compost. With which I would say I have ‘marginal’ success. I have a wooden bin for the chicken coop cleanup where I conduct ‘hot’ compost with great success. And my worm tower for produce scraps. However, I have found the wooden tower dries out very quickly during the summer which creates issues for the worms. Let me first say that I love my worm composting system. It’s a labour of love and arguably produces some of the best compost around. However, I was still missing a way to deal with the leftover foods that should not go into the worm bins.
Enter in the Bokashi composting method. And let me start by saying that technically the Bokashi method is not composting. Bokashi works as a fermentation process of kitchen waste in an an anaerobic environment. I just so happened to catch a video workshop on the system on the Lee Valley website and was intrigued. Just a side note here; if you go to Lee Valley’s Facebook page you can find the video there. Anyhow, I needed to learn cost involved. So off to the internet to get an idea of cost. The highest priced option came in at $150 and that was the ‘full meal deal’. Two buckets (which is highly recommended) complete with strainers and compression lids, 6 lbs. of bran, an instruction booklet and an apron. 😉 On the other end of the scale lies the diy version. Foregoing the spout; we can use two 5-gallon buckets (one inside the other). Drill holes in the bottom of the interior bucket to allow for drainage. To make the 2-bucket system you will need four buckets and two lids for a grand total of $30.
Just a quick note about what is happening with the end product. First of all you will have the ‘juice’. This is ‘very’ potent. Dilution ratio is 100:1 (water:juice). What about the stuff in the bucket? Good question. Once your bucket is full, it will sit for another 2 weeks then you find a place to bury the remains. Once buried you will wait another 2 weeks to reduce acidity before planting anything in that spot. The remains can also be added to your traditional compost bin to hasten the process in there. As an ‘urban homesteader’, I do not have a lot of available space to dig up and bury the remains. What I have chosen to do is start my own soil pile. I have started with a yard of garden soil spread to about a foot deep. When my Bokashi remains are ready for planting I just dig a hole and bury it.
So what about that bran that was mentioned? It’s a key ingredient in the Bokashi method to enable the fermentation process. Again, with a quick search of Amazon I discovered the most cost effective purchase was 11 lbs for $94.50. Or, we can go the diy version which is just pennies on the dollar. I have included a recipe below. A 2.2 lb of bran should complete 5 buckets of compost. So for every 2 inches of food scraps you would add about 2 Tbs. of the bran. Beyond that, it really depends how many food scraps you are trying to ferment.
Bokashi Bran
Ingredients
- 2 cups bran
- 1 tbsp wheat bran
- 1 cup water warm
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 1 tbsp EM-1 Micro Organisms *see note
Instructions
- Mix 1 tbs of molasses into 1 cup of warm water and add 1 tbs of EM-1.Pour this mixture over the bran and mix well.When you are sure that the liquid is well distributed, placed mixture into an airtight container and place container in a warm dark spot for 2-3 weeks.Do not open the lid before the allotted time is up.Ready for use.
Notes
- EM-1 is readily available on Amazon. Although this too can be a diy project, it is highly recommended that you use a ‘reliable’ source.
Moving on to the second acquisition. I got a Hungry Bin! (I feel like there should be trumpets heralding its entry onto the homestead. 😉
Why the Hungry Bin? So a couple of things here. First is volume. The shear size of this unit can process a whopping 4 lbs of organic waste per day. The second thing is ease of use. Hands down the easiest composting system I have ever used. The ‘tea’ collects in the tea tray. This tea can be diluted at a ratio of 3:1 (water:tea). The finished product of “castings’ is collected into a brick in the bottom tray which is attached with two easy detachable clips. And just keep feeding from the top. Bear in mind that the worms are weather sensitive. Ideal temperature is between 15-25 degrees Celsius (60-90 degrees Farenheit). The bin needs to be placed in a shady dry spot for the safety of the worms.
So what is the best system for you directly depends on what your goals are in dealing with your household waste. And what is your budget. Worm bins can be very cost effective. A couple of rubbermaid bins with lids from Walmart and you’re in business. A Hungry Bin will set you back about $400 – $800 (depending where you find it). Unless of course you can find one used. Do keep your eyes open at garage/yard sales, Craigslist and the like. There are definitely bargains to be had. Budget and space availability will also figure into your decision. Assess all those factors and make the choice (or choices 😉 )that is right for you.
Below I have included some Amazon links for some of the products I’ve mentioned here:
