Effective Microorganisms, aka EM Technology, and Bokashi composting

[John_Henry]

In Japan all the waste is separated and for the most part recycled, great in many respects, but a problem for us.  As soon as we moved into our new place we began composting everything we could, as we always have in the UK.  It soon became apparent that without the compostable materials we don't create enough kitchen waste to make up the bi-weekly collection.  So we would get stuck with all the meat, fish, dairy and other non compostable waste, sat around for months until we had enough to make up a collection.  No a pretty thought.  So, naturally I began to look into ways of composting all the left overs that you would usually leave off your compost.

After a bit of research I discovered Bokashi and decided to give it a go.  I can't find anything on the forum about Bokashi, but I wont go into too much detail here as theres loads of info about if you do a quick search.  Basically it seems to solve all my problems, as I can now compost everything and whats more I get super fast super fertile compost in a matter of a few weeks, plus the juice that comes of is said to be an amazing fertiliser! Sounds too good to be true right?

After a little further research I found a recipe for the 'EM' here: http://www.hawaiihealingtree.org/?p=163 So, tonight I've started my first batch.

I was wondering if any of you have had any experience with Bokashi and EM.  As I say it sounds too good to be true, so my cynical side isn't expecting things to work out, but on the other hand there seems a lot of positive material promoting this stuff, not to mention the brands that are selling it under various names.  I've found a few recipes, so the one I used might not be the best, but seems to make sense.  I'm interested in your thoughts or tips if you've used it.

[John_Henry]

Also just found this http://myfanwe.xanga.com/754896562/making-em-1-culture/

[Jim]

I went to a lecture a Mother Earth News last weekend, and one of my favorite composting authors Barbara Pleasant mentioned that she did a controlled study using Bokashi versus just burying the materials study.  She found no difference, and does not recommend Bokashi for the added cost unless you really want to play with it, at least for getting rid of the meat materials.  If you can do an experiment, that might be fun. Have you looked into Black Soldier Fly composter projects yet? 

As for EM, based on everything I have read so far, I am indifferent to it.  In soil making, the primary decomposers are aerobic, anaerobic and fungi microbes.  These soil bacteria feed on the exudates of plant roots. EM (only based on what I read) is attempting to put/invigorate anaerobic bacteria and enzymes into the soil which is fine in principle, but only part of the equation.   I will say that since EM is based on anaerobic bacteria, the assumption has to be your soil is probably lacking in oxygen (where high volumes of anaerobic occur and thrive).  An over abundance of anaerobic bacteria can promote hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs smells), ammonia, vinegar and butyric acid (vomit smells).  That is why you turn compost piles, to increase oxygen and decrease the environment for highly active anaerobic bacteria.  Also, I have read that most pathogenic bacteria thrive more readily in anaerobic settings than aerobic ones, or ones in balance for that matter.  Things like E.coli live in the gut in anaerobic environments.

All that said, I would think that backyard gardeners can probably use EM just fine, but watch for signs like pH or weird smells. To me, nothing can be a replacement for good compost which is usually the environs for aerobic/fungal activity that gives us that "good earthy black gold". 

[John_Henry]

Thats interesting.  I'm surprised that Barbara Pleasent didn't find any difference.  I know from my own experience that normal kitchen scraps for the compost take quite a while to brake down, obviously depending on the conditions.  I can't imagine normal compost breaking down aerobically as quickly as the Bokashi anaerobically, one of the main supposed benefits of Bokashi, but I'll see in a while if all goes to plan.  From what I reed one of the benefits of Bokashi is that you don't get the stink you would if you were composting with other conventional methods, again down to the EM working anaerobically, so probably one of the reasons you can ad meat, dairy etc.  As your playing with completely different systems moulds, fungi etc, I find it hard to believe theres no difference, but then again I hesitate to assume the opposite either.  I do wonder if Barbara Pleasent is perhaps bias, as the Bokashi method kind of rights off her books and techniques.  I still have some kitchen scraps waiting to go on the compost that have been sat under the sink for a while.  They've had a head start on the Bokashi, so perhaps I'll do a little experiment and bury them both at the same time, see if she's right.

I tend to agree with your logic on the EM, accept that they tend to work both aerobically and anaerobically, leaning more to the anaerobic.  So when you bury your waste I guess in theory they keep on working more effectively, and hence don't create hydrogen sulfide, as you would get if you buried your waste without the Bokashi, perhaps also due to the EM working at lower temperatures and not creating as much heat.  I remember reeding somewhere that on a dump they uncovered a 20 or so year old lettuce that had been buried and deprived of oxygen.  When they dug it up it was completely preserved, I guess due to the lack of oxygen.  This obviously being a common problem and criticism of land fill.  If the lettuce had been buried with Bokashi, in theory it would have still decomposed into soil as you would want.  I guess this is my argument against Barbara Pleasent, but then these are extremes, and I guess I'm playing devils advocate a little.

The black soldier fly method would have been my first choice, but the Bokashi beat it as it seems a lot easier.  If I don't succeed with Bokashi then I'll be putting the black soldier fly's to work.

I think your on the money with keeping an eye on the PH and couldn't agree more that nothing can replace good ol' compost.  But for us at the moment this could be a great solution for getting rid of what would normally be non compostable materials.

[Jim]

In fact, Barbara Pleasant did dismiss Bokashi fairly outright.  I did want to ask a question about that at the presentation, but she had quite a queue so I passed.  Your skepticism may have some warrant on that.  Please let us know both the Bokashi as well as the EM if you get a chance to put those into practice. 

[John_Henry]

In fact, Barbara Pleasant did dismiss Bokashi fairly outright.  I did want to ask a question about that at the presentation, but she had quite a queue so I passed.  Your skepticism may have some warrant on that.  Please let us know both the Bokashi as well as the EM if you get a chance to put those into practice. 

I will do.  I got the Bokashi well underway as soon as I got it, so should be about 3 weeks before I bury it.  The EM will take a while longer, but I'll keep you updated.  I found this: http://joshkearns.blogspot.jp/2006/12/effective-microorganisms.html which was quite interesting.  It seems that this guy was being taught EM back in 2006.

[WayneH]

It sounds to me that you can get the same results in other ways besides purchasing the bokashi medium.

The bokashi medium sounds like it's just sawdust or rice hulls innoculated with compost tea and maybe a little molasses to give high energy food to the microbes.

I would guess that you would get very similar results just by adding your kitchen scraps to a bin of finished compost.

As for the comment about adding oxygen to compost by turning it, I think you would be amazed at how quickly the oxygen is depleted inside a compost pile after it's been turned.

[John_Henry]

It sounds to me that you can get the same results in other ways besides purchasing the bokashi medium.

The bokashi medium sounds like it's just sawdust or rice hulls innoculated with compost tea and maybe a little molasses to give high energy food to the microbes.

I would guess that you would get very similar results just by adding your kitchen scraps to a bin of finished compost.

As for the comment about adding oxygen to compost by turning it, I think you would be amazed at how quickly the oxygen is depleted inside a compost pile after it's been turned.

If the EM that I'm making works then obviously I wont be buying any more.  I think you could have a point with adding scraps to finished compost.  I have heard of people adding meat scraps to there compost, but burying it with some high carbon material, the same as you would with Bokashi, but without the EM.