Bokashi Green Waste

Basics

What is Green Waste Bokashi?
It’s a system that ferments garden and park waste — like grass, leaves, and prunings — using Effective Microorganisms (EM®). Instead of rotting, the waste is pickled, preserving nutrients until it’s added to soil or compost.

How does Green Waste Bokashi differ from food waste Bokashi?
Food waste Bokashi happens in kitchen bins. Green waste Bokashi is designed for larger, bulkier, carbon-rich garden materials. It often uses heaps or silage bags instead of buckets.

Why choose Bokashi for green waste instead of regular composting?
It’s faster, odour-free, requires no turning, and works all year round. It also locks in carbon and nitrogen that would otherwise be lost.

Is Green Waste Bokashi anaerobic or aerobic?
The first stage is anaerobic fermentation (no oxygen). After mixing into soil, aerobic decomposition completes the process.

What makes it different from hot composting?
Hot composting requires air, turning, and large piles. Bokashi is a no-turn, sealed process driven by EM® microbes.

Does Green Waste Bokashi produce heat?
No heat. Fermentation is a cool process, which means nutrients are preserved.

Does it work in small gardens?
Yes. You can ferment garden clippings in bins or bags, then bury them or use a soil factory.

Is it scalable for farms or councils?
Yes. It’s widely used in agriculture, landscaping, and municipal green waste systems.

Can Green Waste Bokashi be done indoors?
Not usually — it’s designed for garden and landscape material, which is bulky and best handled outdoors.

Does it reduce greenhouse gases?
Yes. Unlike landfill or open piles, Bokashi does not emit methane and instead stores carbon in soil.

What You Can Add

Can I ferment grass clippings?
Yes, they are ideal. Mix with drier carbon-rich waste (straw, leaves) to balance moisture.

Can leaves be fermented?
Yes, shredded leaves work well. Dense piles of whole leaves should be mixed with other waste to prevent compaction.

Can I include hedge clippings?
Yes, especially if shredded. Large woody branches should be chipped first.

What about prunings and twigs?
Small ones are fine. Larger woody materials should be shredded or composted separately.

Can weeds go in?
Yes. Bokashi fermentation kills seeds and roots, preventing regrowth.

What about invasive plants?
Yes. EM® fermentation neutralises them before soil application.

Can I add diseased plants?
Yes, the acidic, anaerobic conditions suppress pathogens.

Can flowers and bedding plants be used?
Yes, any garden plants are suitable.

Can I Bokashi pine needles?
Yes, but they’re slow to break down. Mix with other materials.

What about soil attached to roots?
A little is fine, but too much soil dilutes the fermentation.

Equipment & Setup

Do I need special equipment?
Yes. A container, clamp, or silage bag to keep air out, plus Bokashi bran or liquid Actiferm.

Can I use a compost bin?
Yes, if it can be sealed airtight. Open piles don’t work for fermentation.

Can I use silage bags?
Yes, they are excellent for large volumes of garden or park waste.

What’s in Bokashi bran?
Wheat or rice bran inoculated with EM® microbes and molasses.

What is Actiferm?
A liquid Activated EM® inoculant used for spraying onto waste, often easier for large-scale green waste.

How much inoculant do I need?
About 25ml of Actiferm per 10L water and sprayed evenly roughly 2L of Actiferm per tonne of material.

Can I make my own inoculant?
Yes, but quality control is critical. Buying ready-made ensures consistent results.

Do I need to add carbon-rich material?
Yes. The ideal is around 20 parts carbon (straw, leaves) to 1 part nitrogen (grass, weeds).

Do I need to turn the heap?
No. Unlike compost, Bokashi is a no-turn process.

The Process

How do I start a Green Waste Bokashi heap?
Layer green waste, spray with Actiferm (or sprinkle bran), press down, and cover.

How important is compaction?
Pressing removes air pockets, which ensures fermentation instead of rotting.

Should I add water?
Yes, if the waste is very dry. The microbes need moisture to spread.

How long should it ferment?
At least 8–12weeks for garden waste, longer in colder weather.

Does the waste change in appearance?
It keeps its structure but smells sour, not rotten.

What smell is normal?
A sweet-sour smell like pickles or cider.

What smell means trouble?
Rotten or sulphurous smells mean air got in or not enough inoculant was used.

What temperature is best?
Ambient outdoor temperature is fine. Fermentation works from 5°C up to 40°C.

Can I do it in winter?
Yes, but the second decomposition stage may pause in frozen soil.

How do I know it’s finished fermenting?
The smell is sour, pH is low, and white mold may be visible.

Bokashi Liquid

Does green waste produce liquid?
Yes, especially if grass-heavy. It’s often called leachate.

Is the liquid useful?
Yes. It contains nutrients and microbes.

Does it smell?
Yes, sour but not putrid if healthy.

What if there’s no liquid?
Dry waste produces little liquid — that’s fine.

Can I sell the liquid?
Not recommended. It’s unstable and best used fresh on site.

Can it be used in farming?
Yes, it’s used as a biofertiliser and soil conditioner.

How often should I drain it?
Every few days if using bins with taps.

After Fermentation

What do I do with the fermented waste?
Mix it into soil, add it to compost, or spread and cover in fields.

Can I bury it in trenches?
Yes.

Can I use it in a compost heap?
Yes. Fermented waste accelerates conventional composting.

Can I feed it to worms?
Yes, after the acidity drops. Add small amounts at first.

Does it look like finished compost?
No, it looks like pickled waste until soil organisms decompose it.

How long until it becomes soil?
2–4 weeks after soil contact.

Does it improve soil structure?
Yes. It increases microbial diversity and organic matter.

Can it suppress plant disease?
Yes. The EM® microbes outcompete harmful pathogens.

Can I use it for potting soil?
Yes, in a soil factory setup with waste and old compost.

Does it add nutrients?
Yes. It preserves nitrogen and carbon that would be lost in open composting.

Troubleshooting

Why does my heap smell bad?
It’s rotting, not fermenting. Add more EM® and compact better.

Why is there green mold?
Air exposure. White mold is good; green or black is not.

Why is my waste slimy?
Too much wet grass without enough carbon material.

Why is it too dry?
Add water and spray Actiferm to restore balance.

Why aren’t microbes working?
Bran may be old or Actiferm inactive. Always use fresh inoculant.

Why does nothing happen in winter?
Fermentation still works, but decomposition in soil slows when cold.

Why are there flies?
Heap may not be fully covered or sealed.

Why does my leachate stink?
It fermented too long with air exposure. Use it quickly after draining.

Why does waste still look intact?
That’s normal — breakdown happens in soil after fermentation.

Practical Tips

What’s the ideal ratio of waste?
About 20 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen .

Can I mix kitchen waste with garden waste?
Yes, it balances moisture and nutrients.

Can I do Bokashi in bags?
Yes. Silage bags are perfect for larger volumes.

Do I need to monitor temperature?
Not for fermentation. For soil stage, warm conditions speed up breakdown.

Do I need to test pH?
Not necessary, but fermented waste typically drops below pH 4.

How do I know microbes are working?
Sour smell, white mold, and low pH show success.

Can I store fermented waste?
Yes, it can sit sealed forever until you’re ready to use it.

Can I add ash or lime powder?
Not during fermentation. Add later in soil if needed.

Does it attract rodents?
No, the acidic smell usually repels them.

How heavy is a bag of fermented waste?
A silage bag can be very heavy — machinery may be needed.

Environmental Benefits

Does Green Waste Bokashi reduce emissions?
Yes, it prevents methane from landfill decomposition.

Does it sequester carbon?
Yes, by locking it into soil organic matter.

Does it reduce fertiliser use?
Yes, it produces nutrient-rich soil amendments.

Is it safe for organic farming?
Yes, EM® products are approved for organic use.

Does it regenerate soil health?
Yes, it improves microbial biodiversity and resilience.

Can it restore degraded land?
Yes, by building humus and fertility.

Is it water-efficient?
Yes, Bokashi-treated soil holds water better.

Does it support biodiversity?
Yes, it encourages earthworms and soil organisms.

Is it part of the circular economy?
Yes, it recycles garden waste into a valuable resource.

Is it used worldwide?
Yes, especially in Europe, Japan, and farming communities globally.