Using Fermented Food Waste In Planters

(This is taken from EcoPure Magazine: The Front Line Of EM Kitchen Garbage Recycle!, July 1997. Out of Print)

We received a question about other ways to use the materials from a bokashi bucket, other than burying in the soil. Several years ago (almost 20 years ago now!!!), EcoPure Magazine published an issue on recycling kitchen garbage. Unfortunately, the magazine is out of print and there are only a few copies floating around...fortunately, I have one!  The pictures below are from page 9 of that issue. They show exactly how to mix fermented food wastes into planters. This is great for people who do not have an area where they can bury food wastes. It does take about twice the time for the materials to break down and be ready for planting, but does offer an alternate solution.

1. Select a planter with drain holes.

2. Use either loam or good quality soil.

3. Add 1/4th well drained Fermented Food Waste.

4. Mix well with the soil. Fermentation is faster with better mixing.

5. Cover with an even layer of soil and flatten (soil mound should be slightly higher since it tends to sink).

6.  Cover with plastic bag to keep from getting wet for at least 14 days (avoid putrefaction/rotting).

7. Appearance of white mold doesn't indicate failure. It is the result of breeding filamentous fungi from the EM-1.

8. After one month, it's ready for use.

9. You can grow great flowers or vegetables and there is no need for fertilizer.

For more information on Bokashi Food Waste Recycling and to purchase EM Bokashi kits, EM-1 Microbial Inoculant, please visit our website: http://www.teraganix.com.