How to make bocashi?

Bocashi is a natural fertilizer

Image - Flickr / Neal Foley

Although today in nurseries and garden stores, whether physical or online, they sell fertilizers and fertilizers for almost all types of plants, it is still very interesting to acquire those that are of organic origin, or even make them ourselves.

In fact, there are some that are quite easy to make, such as the bocashi. This is a type of solid organic compost that has been made in Japan for centuries, and it does not require as much effort or patience to do well as compost.

What is bocashi or bokashi?

Bocashi is a natural fertilizer

Image - Wikimedia / Fredda89

It is neither more nor less than fermented organic matter, which in its beginnings in the Japanese country was prepared with the excrement of those who were in charge of growing rice, but which currently uses other materials that you probably already have at home or that, failing that, you can easily get.

It is a technique based on the activation of yeasts and microorganisms found in the materials used to prepare it. After 12 to 21 days it mixes with the soil, increasing the microbiological life of this, something that will have a very positive influence on the plants, since they will have more means to grow with health and strength.

With what materials is it prepared?

There are many recipes, depending on the region and the circumstances of each one, but the materials that are most used are:

Water

Essential for moisture. Of course, do not take too much. You have to control the amount that is thrown well so that everything is not spoiled.

Agricultural lime

During the fermentation process the acidity can increase considerably; that is why it is required to use agricultural lime, since in this way the pH is better controlled.

Charcoal

It is an ingredient that it will favor the correct development of the roots, since it improves the structure of the soil, both aeration and its ability to retain heat and moisture.

Taking into account the characteristics of charcoal, it is important that the grains or particles of the same to be used are all more or less the same size.

Rice husks

When a soil is very heavy, with little aeration, if a plant is watered excessively, the roots can suffocate. To avoid this, one of the things that can be done is to add rice husks to your bocashi recipe. to improve soil drainage. If it is charred or semi-calcined, it will also provide silicon, potassium, phosphorus and traces of other minerals.

In the event that you cannot get it, you can substitute it for coffee husk or pulp, but yes, it must be dry.

Manure from herbivorous animals or chicken manure

Horse manure is a natural compost

It is essential, since is the main source of nitrogen, which we remember is a very important macronutrient for plants, since thanks to it they can grow. But it also provides others such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, potassium and boron.

This is an ingredient that will help improve the biological properties of the soil, making it richer in nutrients.

Molasses

A quality bocashi contains molasses. And is that without it, the fermentation process would not take place in the correct way, since the microorganisms that are responsible for it could hardly multiply. It also provides important nutrients such as potassium, zinc, boron and manganese.

Yeast

Yeast It is essential for you to make a greater microbiological biodiversity. Therefore, it is one of the necessary ingredients when preparing this organic compost.

Common ground

It must be collected from a garden or orchard in which NO chemicals have been used. Thus, you can ensure that it has a higher concentration of microorganisms and minerals.

Of course, sift it before using it to remove any stones and to be able to remove grains or particles that are too large or small.

How to prepare bocashi?

If you dare to prepare it in your garden, we recommend you follow this step by step:

Materials

  • 40kg of guano
  • 40kg of common soil
  • 20kg of rice husks
  • 1l of yogurt
  • 20g yeast
  • Half a cup of molasses
  • 20l of water

Step by step

  1. First, you have to mix the guano, the earth and the rice husks.
  2. Then, dilute the yogurt, molasses and yeast in the 20 liters of water. Once you have finished stirring, add it to the mixture little by little, while you stir it.
  3. If necessary, add a little more water so that, when you take some, it maintains its shape, without dripping.
  4. Next, make sure that the pile does not exceed 30 centimeters in height, and then cover it with plastic.
  5. Stir it 2-3 times a day.
  6. On the fourth day, you must reduce the height to 15 centimeters, and you have to remove the plastic.
  7. From day 7, reduce the height even more, to 10 centimeters.
  8. Finally and for a while longer, you have to continue stirring the pile 2 or 3 times a day, until it has acquired a brownish color, maintaining the height of 10 centimeters.

Shot

Bocashi is an excellent natural fertilizer, which will help your crops grow healthy as long as apply a kilo of compost for every square meter of soil. It is also suitable as a substrate for pots, and can even be used in seedbeds -preferably of native plants and / or orchards-.

How is it stored?

The bocashi is stored in bags or buckets

Image - Wikimedia / Phil'enCorse

If you want to store it so you can use it later, you should store it in bags or cubes without moisture. These must be in dry and well-ventilated places, so that they are preserved for a longer time.

You can use it up to 3 months after making it.

Where to buy?

You can get it from here.

We hope it has been useful to you 🙂.


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