Composting vs Bokashi is a big debate and are fantastic strategies to minimize food waste. Both of these techniques are very common and beneficial, but it is interesting what are the differences between them and which should you pick?
Despite their differences, we have to mention that both of these composting methods are very helpful since they stop the spread of pathogenic bacteria and other fungi that emerge from waste.
Follow this article and discover the distinctions between Bokashi and Compost, the benefits of each, and which one is better for you.
What is composting?
The natural process of turning organic waste, such as leaves and leftover food into beneficial fertilizers that can improve soil and plants is known as composting.
Composting simply expedites the decomposition process by creating the perfect habitat for bacteria, fungi, and other decomposing creatures to carry out their functions. Everything that develops eventually decomposes.
Compost is a term used to describe the final decomposed material, which frequently resembles fertile garden soil. Compost, popularly known by farmers as “black gold”, is Nutrient-rich and useful in agriculture, horticulture, and gardening.
Bokashi method of composting
Bokashi is a distinct and unusual method of fermentation and composting. In order to improve the soil and quality of the crops, it uses fermented organic substances combined with Microbial stock. Bokashi is a term that has a Japanese origin and means “fermented organic materials”.
Bokashi is produced through the fermentation of organic components. When properly matured, the substance can be put into the soil to improve fertility. They perform better than synthetic fertilizers comprised of dangerous chemicals.
Bokashi has recently become more popular in the United States due to its effectiveness and utility, in contrast to other composting techniques that require big bins. Bokashi just asks for a bucket and a few other basic items. Additionally, you can perform Bokashi in indoor spaces by purchasing the necessary microbes.
What are the benefits of Bokashi?
We already mentioned that Bokashi is a very useful and helpful composting technique, it can be combined with any other compost material for better fertility though it is a fully organic fertilizer. These advantages of Bokashi are listed below.
- An efficient method of managing food waste
- A simple way to make an organic fertilizer
- · Help minimize solid food waste from landfills.
- Requires a small place
- No strange smell
- Increases fertility of the land
The differences: Bokashi vs Compost
Everybody can agree that Bokashi and conventional composting methods are both useful and helpful, however, there are some differences that will help you to identify which one is a better composting technique and which one is more suitable for you.
Anaerobic vs Aerobic
Simply said the terms used to describe the procedure utilized to break down organic matter are Anaerobic and Aerobic. The Bokashi system uses an Anaerobic, or “without air”, “moisture” method to break down food leftovers. This contrasts with the compost bin, which decomposes by an aerobic process “with air”. For this purpose, a Bokashi bucket’s cover must be well sealed, and the contents must be consistently pressed down to expel any air pockets.
On the other hand, A compost bin breaks down more quickly with more airflow, which is why constantly turning the pile helps accelerate the composting process.
One-step process vs two-stage process
The fact that Bokashi composting involves two steps is one of the greatest distinctions between it and conventional composting. Your Bokashi buckets need to complete one more stage before it transforms into fertile soil. Before it becomes soil, you must either bury it or put it in a conventional compost bin.
Traditional compost, on the other hand, only requires one stage, and once breakdown and decomposition have taken place, that’s it! We have to mention that it is suitable for use in gardens.
Cost
There is a one-time expense for buying a bin when using the traditional compost or Bokashi composting method, After that, Buying Bokashi bran every 9-12 months adds to the continuous cost of using Bokashi.
This means that Bokashi bin’s by-product, a liquid that drains during the fermentation process and is “liquid gold” for your garden, is a valuable resource. The expense does balance out because it effectively eliminates the need to buy additional plant fertilizer.
Time to create compost
The two methods take a very different amount of time to create compost for your soil. Compost must have proper conditions for moisture, heat, and airflow in order to decompose. It may take this process six months on average.
However, by choosing the ideal place for your compost bin, you can reduce the amount of time it takes to make compost in a composter.
The use of efficient microorganisms has made the fermentation process much quicker, these helpful microbes work rapidly to ferment organic waste. The entire procedure can be completed in just 4 weeks.
What to include
Lawn trimmings, hedge cuttings, short branches, and sticks that wouldn’t fit in a Bokashi bucket, are perfect for composting because they are yard trash. Of course, organic kitchen waste can also benefit greatly from it. Because of its size, a Bokashi bin is probably more suited to fermenting items like fruit peels and tops than garden trash.
In general, all kitchen waste can be disposed of in a Bokashi bin, with the exception of rotting food (particularly anything that has green or blue mold), and any liquids.
Space
Which composting method is ideal for you will, for the most part, depend on where you live. A compost bin is perfect if you have a large garden because you will probably need a way to get rid of your garden waste. A Bokashi bin would likely work in an apartment or tiny garden where there is minimal to no gardening to be done.
Pros and cons
There is a table that will provide you with information about Bokashi and traditional composting methods, which will help you to easily identify the advantages and disadvantages of both of these helpful composting techniques.
| Pros of Bokashi | Cons of Bokashi |
| Pests free | The first setup fee |
| By-product Bokashi liquid is a great fertilizer | The continuous expense of purchasing Bokashi bran. |
| Easy to set up | Not suitable for garden trash |
| lowers CO2 emissions | |
| Can produce compost in just 4 weeks. | |
| Workable indoors |
| Pros of composting | Cons of composting |
| Suitable for yard waste | Need the place outside to put the trash |
| Not expensive to set up | Compost that is useful takes up to six months to develop |
| Large amounts of compost are produced | Can attract flies and pests |
| Significant CO2 emissions | |
| Produces a strong smell |
The Verdict
To sum up, the Bokashi method is a quicker and easier process than composting when it comes to the famous Bokashi vs Composting arguments.
However, we continue to think that the conventional composting method has its position. In order To help recycle your yard and kitchen trash, if you have a lawn to maintain, you may want to consider both a compost and Bokashi container.
We would suggest a Bokashi bin for someone who is just starting out or who lives in a flat or tiny space.
It not only minimizes waste well but also produces a valuable product for your plants.
Your plant undoubtedly thanks you with a bumper crop if you use both Bokashi and Bokashi fertilizer in your vegetable garden.
Peride Beradze
Peride is an avid planter, Tour Manager and freelance writer. She is a plant collector who mainly focuses on succulents. She loves studying cultures, traveling and learning new languages.