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

Our Approach to Soil Fertility and System Health ~ by Matt Dunwell

Added: February 15th 2017, Ragmans Farm

Ragmans Farm is a 60 acre organic farm in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. We use farming practices that regenerate the land, using permaculture as a guiding design principle. Between the three main enterprises at the farm – Ragmans Lane Farm, the Willow Bank and Ragmans Market Garden, we provide emplo... read more

 


Added: May 13th 2016, Ragmans Farm

Aerobic or Anaerobic? By Juanfran Lopez Microbes  - Drawn by Miriam, age 4   I would like to introduce this thought with a simple and easy question comparing two different well known similar tools, but with different final purposes, just to put this article in context... it would be something like th... read more

 


An interview with Jairo Restrepo

Added: June 23rd 2015, Ragmans Farm

Columbian champion of Organic Farming and for the rights of small holder farmers. "my dream is to construct a being, an ideal state of a being, so that I shall not be the ideal being of the State". Jairo Restrepo is a passionate educator and activist in the field of sustainable agriculture and food s... read more

 


Added: March 23rd 2015, Ragmans Farm

A Wonderful Time at Ragmans by Yanthe Oosthoek - Student Summer 2014 Being back in Holland made me realise how amazing my time at Ragmans had been. While cycling through the Dutch landscape (which is not very impressive compared to the beautiful Wye Valley Ragmans is surrounded by) I notice myself pointing out diff... read more

 


Back to main blog page