Making Apple Pulp into a soil improver
DIY Bokashi Soil Improver: Nourishing Your Soil with Natural Vitality
Are you looking for a natural and sustainable way to enhance your garden's soil health? Bokashi soil improver is a fantastic option that can provide a boost of nutrients and microbial activity. While you can purchase pre-made Bokashi, creating your own at home is a rewarding and cost-effective process.
Benefits of Making Your Own Bokashi
Cost-effective: DIY Bokashi can be significantly cheaper than store-bought options, especially when you have access to free or low-cost materials.
Personalised control: By making your own Bokashi, you can customise the ingredients and process to suit your specific needs and preferences.
Reduced waste: Using kitchen scraps and other organic materials to create Bokashi helps to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.
Ingredients and Equipment
To get started, you'll need the following:
1 ton of apples
10kg Aegir (a pH regulator)
2 liters of Actiferm solution (a microbial inoculant)
1 ton of straw
Gloves
Instructions
Prepare the straw: Soak the straw in the diluted Actiferm solution until it's damp but not dripping.
Start the fermentation: Sprinkle a light layer of Aegir on the bottom of the heap. Add a layer of apple pulp, followed by a layer of soaked straw. Repeat this layering process until all is processed.
Cover and ferment: Cover tightly and leave it undisturbed for 12 weeks. During this time, the organic materials will undergo a fermentation process, breaking down into nutrient-rich compost.
Tips for Success
Maintain an anaerobic environment: Ensure that the container is tightly sealed to prevent oxygen from entering, which can hinder the fermentation process.
Use Bokashi Bran: If you don't have access to straw, you can use Bokashi Bran as a substitute.
Using Your DIY Bokashi Soil Improver
Once your Bokashi is ready, you can use it to improve your garden's soil. Apply it at a rate of 0.5-1 kg per square meter, or 4 volume % for plant pits. Bokashi can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
Enhancing soil fertility
Improving plant growth
Reducing nutrient leaching
Promoting microbial activity
Making your own Bokashi soil improver is a rewarding and sustainable way to nourish your garden. By following these simple steps, you can create a valuable resource that will benefit your plants and the environment.
A video link of our friends at old tree soil doing this same process LINK
If you would like a premade version you can buy it from us direct.
