Bokashi

The word Bokashi means fermented Organic Matter in Japanese and it is an aerobic semi-decomposition process taken by microbes under controlled conditions. click here for a PDF explaining Bokashi in full

Functions of these Ingredients and possible alternatives/additions.

-       Microbiology and mineral inoculants. Cow dung/Any type of manure

-       Homogenization of biotic and non biotic properties of mix. Clay soil/Old Bokashi/Compost

-       Silicon rich source as improver of physical characteristics in the mix. Woodchip/straw/hay/Cereal hulls

As we are talking about a high quality product produced under controlled conditions, the previous ingredients have to be supported by others in order to increase the quality of the amendment. The functions and the ingredients are:

-       Improvers of structure and texture of the Bokashi (among others benefits). Charcoal (in our case we use activated charcoal)

-       Source of Carbohydrates and Vitamins. Cereal Bran

-       Source of minerals (macro, micronutrients and trace elements). Ashes/Rock Dust/specific minerals

-       Source of sugar for microbes. Apple Juice/Molasses/Brown sugar

-       Microbiological inoculants to start the fermentation process. Commercial Yeast/local wild Yeast


Different groups of microbes develop as the Bokashi matures.  Juanfran has catured these on his microscope and they are set out in the graphic below. Click here for more detail.

 

click here for a PDF explaining Bokashi in full

  • Treatment Free Beekeeping in Horizontal Hives

    11 & 12th November at Ragmans Lane Farm

    The Course will take a natural approach to beekeeping including:
    • How bees live in nature and how to respect their ways in your apiary.
    • Natural and less intensive management.
    • Start or increase an apiary by attracting swarms of local bees.
    • Horizontal hives and their advantages.
    • Wax foundation v foundationless natural comb.
    • Colony management - what to do and what not to do.
    • One-box hive, no feeding, no queen excluders, no requeening.
    • Healthy strong colonies without any treatments.

    Dr Leo Sharashkin is editor of Keeping Bees With a Smile: A Vision and Practice of Natural Apiculture, a comprehensive resource on keeping bees naturally in horizontal hives. He is contributor to American Bee Journal, The Beekeepers Quarterly, and Acres USA, and speaks internationally on sustainable beekeeping, organic growing, and Earth-friendly living. He holds a PhD in Forestry from the University of Missouri and a Master’s in Natural Resources from Indiana University, USA.

    For more information or to book a space please click here


    •