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GROW FILES --- BOKASHI

bokashi:the future ofcannabis recyclingAN EASY WAY TO CREATE NUTRIENTS FOR YOUR GARDEN

BY Z. SCOTT

WITH SO MANY sustainable buzzwords being tossedaround these days, let me introduce yet another. Youmay have heard the word before but perhaps didn't

know exactly what it meant. The word is "bokashi" and, looselytranslated, means "fermented organic matter."

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Bokashi is a fermentation process that has its origins in eitherJapan or Korea, depending on who you ask. It has been spreadingrapidly across the globe. One reason for this rapid adoption isthat bokashi speeds up the decomposition process of organicmatter. Bokashi uses a trio of microorganisms, usually livinghappily on inoculated dry bran flakes or wheat middlings, todo the dirty work of breaking down food and plant waste. Themicroorganisms lactobacillus bacteria, phototrophic bacteria,and yeast combine to quickly break down organic material by aprocess of anaerobic (absence of oxygen) fermentation. This is abreak from traditional aerobic (presence of oxygen) composting,in which air and moisture keep the micro herd happy.

The real benefits from having a bokashi system in place are theease of setup and the management thereafter. The fermentationtakes place in airtight vessels. Just open the container, throw inyour kitchen waste and plant scraps, and sprinkle a fewhandfulsof the inoculated bran flakes on top. That's all there is to it.

The first few days of the fermentation process will producesome liquid, as the microorganisms begin to break down organicmatter. This liquid needs to be drained off. Having a spigotto drain the liquid goodness is a must for those building aDIY bucket. However, this liquid can be used as a nutrienttoo. Dilute it at a ratio of about 100:1, then water your plantswith the diluted solution. The liquids can also be disposed ofdown the drain--they are totally safe for septic systems and citywater-treatment plants. Once the bucket is full and drained atime or two, it's time to let the natural acids do their job. Justput the container away for two to three weeks and allow thematerial to ferment or to become "pickled."

After fermentation is complete, the remaining bio-pulp shouldbe directly tilled into the ground or mixed with composts or soils.This last step finishes off the process. It returns the nutrientsback to the soil, providing food for your garden. Bokashi isfairly acidic, with a pH of around 3.5 to 4.5. It should be mixedinto the dirt, not directly applied to plants. Soil that has beenenriched with bokashi bio-pulp has better nutrient uptake fromthe microbes the bio-pulp contains. Earthworms and insects

GROW FILES - BOKASHI

finish breaking it down, creating well-balanced and plant-lovingsoil for better long-term soil health.

The future of organic waste management could includebokashi as a promising method to break down large amountsof organic material that would otherwise end up in a landfilLThis method can be used for large-scaleapplications. In addition,this process does not produce as much C02 or methane duringthe fermentation process, which makes this an environmentallyfriendly alternative. Many of the awful smells that typicallyaccompany aerobic compost are not present with bokashifermentation. The process occurs in airtight containers, so fruitflies and other insects don't take up residence in your bucket.

Kind ReDesigned (Kind ReDesigned. com), a Coloradomarijuana waste disposal company, is pioneering the use ofbokashi fermentation to dispose of organic cannabis waste ona large scale. Founder David Martinez was quoted as saying"Our goal is to create a paradigm shift in the way the industrythinks about cannabis waste. Kind ReDesigned uses bokashifermentation to repurpose cannabis waste into highly prizedand 100%-natural by-products for use in awide range of organicgrowing applications."

Bokashi reduces the need for chemical nutrients, and growersactually use lesswater. This eco-friendly disposal process resultsin fewer carbon emissions. Bokashi is simply a better way todeal with cannabis waste.

Wishing to be better stewards of the planet, we are alwayslooking for new and innovative ways to minimize our impacton the environment. It's a lifelong pursuit. Learning innovativewaste management techniques, such as bokashi fermentation,provides new and easy tools to use in your garden. Bokashifermentation is ideal for small spaces. It works fast and, whenmanaged properly, is odorless. Chemical nutrients largelyserve tofeed the plant. Bokashi, however, "balances and feeds the soil."Your plants will love you for it-s-the results speak for themselves.Stay tuned for more on fermented plant extracts. We will havea "Making Your Own Bokashi" tutorial coming soon. III

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Kind ReDesignedMARIJUANA WASTE DISPOSAL

LEARN FROM OUR BOKASHI MASTERS!

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