Making your own bokashi bran can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to produce a key ingredient for the bokashi composting process. While it may take a bit of time and effort, the satisfaction of creating your own bokashi bran from scratch is worth it.
To make your own bokashi bran, you will need a few key ingredients and materials. Here is a step-by-step guide:
1. Gather the necessary ingredients:
– Wheat bran: You will need around 10 pounds of wheat bran, which can be easily found at feed stores or online.
– Effective Microorganisms (EM): EM is a key component of bokashi bran, and you will need approximately 4 tablespoons. EM can be purchased online or at gardening stores.
– Molasses: Around 4 tablespoons of molasses are required to feed the EM microbes and help them multiply.
– Water: You will need around 10 cups of water to create the mixture.
2. Prepare the molasses-water mixture:
– In a container or bucket, add the molasses to the water.
– Stir the mixture thoroughly until the molasses is completely dissolved. This will create a sweet and nourishing liquid for the EM microbes.
3. Add EM microbes to the mixture:
– Slowly pour the EM microbes into the molasses-water mixture.
– Stir the mixture again, ensuring that the EM microbes are evenly distributed.
4. Incorporate the EM mixture into the bran:
– Gradually pour the molasses-water mixture over the wheat bran.
– Use a large spoon or your hands (wearing gloves) to mix and coat the bran thoroughly with the EM mixture.
– Continue mixing until the bran is evenly moistened and each particle is coated with the EM mixture.
5. Fermentation and drying:
– Transfer the coated bran into a large airtight container or bag.
– Seal the container or bag tightly to create an anaerobic environment for fermentation.
– Allow the bran to ferment for approximately two weeks at room temperature, occasionally opening the container to release any built-up gas.
– After the fermentation period, spread the bran out on a clean surface or tray to dry. This can be done indoors or outdoors, as long as it is protected from direct sunlight and moisture.
– Stir the bran occasionally during the drying process to ensure even drying and prevent clumping.
Once the bokashi bran is completely dry, it is ready to be used in your bokashi composting system. Store the bran in airtight containers or bags to maintain its effectiveness.
By making your own bokashi bran, you have full control over the ingredients and can tailor it to your specific needs. Additionally, it can be a more cost-effective option in the long run, especially if you have access to inexpensive or bulk quantities of wheat bran.
Remember, the fermentation process is crucial for the development of beneficial microbes in the bran. So, be patient and allow enough time for fermentation and drying to achieve the desired results.
Making your own bokashi bran is a wonderful way to engage in the bokashi composting process from start to finish. Enjoy the journey of creating your own nutrient-rich bokashi bran and contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle!