Bokashi Bucket Tips & Comments - April '14

In no Particular Order:

1. Don't keep your bucket in direct sunlight or on a Hot Balcony/Porch.  (high temperatures will kill the microbial activity)
2. If the pickled waste smells bad?  Then that may not mean the system has failed, it could be for a number of reasons.  Discard, or bury the waste, wash out bucket and start again with the provided instructions, and use a fresh bag of Bokashi mix.  For instructions that meet Australian conditions, feel free to request a complimentary booklet via info@bokashi.com.au including your *Australian Postal Address.
3. Drain off the Bokashi juice regularly.  If you don't believe you can water it out regularly (Watering Can/Veges/Ornamental's), then you can always use it as a Natural Drain Cleaner around the house pipes.  The Juice is alive with not only microbial activity, but also the nutrients and proteins of the food waste you have been collecting.  As time goes by, the life of these benefits decreases.  You cannot save this juice beyond a few days and expect it to be beneficial.
4. The taps provided with the bucket pictured in this blog are maintainable. If they are blocked, then try and use the tip of a bamboo skewer to clear the blockage.  Alternatively,  they can be disassembled and reassembled.  We recommend you disassemble/re-assemble each year as a service, washing each part and checking for wear.  Replacement taps are available for a small cost in Australia in various colours. Request Parts at your Local Australian Stockist, or request a price from Manufacturer Direct.  Tap Maintenance Video

I hope you find this tip's useful.  I you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the writer via this Blogspace.

Been Away?

Drain off excess juices and bury your waste.

Hothouse Tomatoes

Of course at this time of the year there is no outdoor tomatoes as such coming through the markets for mainstream supply.  At best you can buy QLD vine ripened lines,  which tend to arrive at the supermarket in ready to eat condition,  but then,  you pay a price.

So what do we have for $6.98/ per kilo at this time of year?  Hothouse grown tomatoes.  Twice this week I have shopped for tomatoes.  They are starting to get pricey at $6.98,  but they van easily get to $12.00 over the next 6-10 weeks,  and especially if there is any areas affected by frost or rain,  they will definitely reach $12.00.  (if there is no issues,  then you can expect to pay $6.99 - 7.50 max through the next period until the outdoors come online)

OK,  enough ranting.  As I look at this tomato on the kitchen bench,  I give this tip to all the people this week that have whinged to me about tomatoes being hard, or even green.  Buy a bag, or even 1 or 2,  and don't put them in the fridge,  leave them out on the bench in a warm place for up to five days to control ripen to how you like them.  I have had one on the bench for 3 days,  and hope to be able to use it tomorrow for sandwiches.  Have a great Sunday!

Bokashi Juice

Once you've drained the Bokashi Juice then it should be used straight away.

Prepare for Holidays (Bokashi Bucket)

Its that time of year when a lot of us clear out of town for holidays.  Things to remember:

1. Take the cat to cattery
2. Redivert the postal mail
3. Stop the newspaper
4. Configure your OOF in MS Outlook
5. Turn the hot water cylinder off
6. Put that old set of disco lights on the timer,  so everyone knows your home  (Right!)
7. Etc

Don't forget poor'lil Bokashi Bucket.  He doesn't need to be feed,  he knows you guys need a holiday.  But drain his "Bokashi Juice" before you leave town.

Pour the juice down the sink if you are not going to water out (fertilise).  Certainly you can go away for 3-6 weeks  and the Bokashi waste will just continue to ferment and you can bury it when you get back.  Or bury the waste now, give him a good cleanout and get things started in the garden on your return.

Bokashi Videos http://www.youtube.com/user/billjackjane?feature=mhum

Been Away?

Drain off excess juice and bury your waste.