Question 1

How does Bokashi benefit soil health?

Accepted Answer

Bokashi waste is packed with microbes that improve soil structure and fertility. When added to the soil, it:

Feeds microbes: These microbes improve nutrient availability, break down organic matter, and suppress harmful pathogens.

Improves soil structure: The process increases aeration and water retention, helping plants thrive.

Adds organic acids: These acids improve nutrient absorption by plants and reduce soil pH issues.

Increases humus content: Humus is the organic matter in soil that holds water and nutrients, and Bokashi contributes to its production.

Question 2

How is Bokashi linked to human health and gut health?

Accepted Answer

It all starts with healthy soil. Here’s the chain:

Soil microbes = healthier plants: Plants grown in microbially rich soil are more nutrient-dense.

Better food = better gut health: Eating nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits feeds the beneficial bacteria in our guts, improving digestion, immunity, and mental health.

Reduced chemical inputs: Bokashi can reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers, leading to cleaner, healthier food.

So, by using Bokashi to improve soil health, you’re effectively supporting human health at the same time.

Question 3

Can Bokashi composting reduce methane emissions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, massively! Traditional food waste in landfill decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen), producing methane—a greenhouse gas over 25 times more potent than CO₂. Bokashi composting prevents this by fermenting waste instead of letting it rot. The process creates organic acids instead of methane, making it a climate-friendly solution for food waste management.

Question 4

How do I know my Bokashi bin is working?

Accepted Answer

There are clear signs your Bokashi bin is fermenting properly:

Smell: A tangy, pickled odour (not a rotten smell).

Appearance: The food waste will look slightly discoloured but not decomposed.

Liquid production: You should be draining Bokashi tea every few days.

If it smells bad or you see mould other than white, fluffy growth, it might not be working correctly. Check the seal on your bin and the ratio of food to bran.

Question 5

How does Bokashi help with nutrient recycling in the soil?

Accepted Answer

Bokashi is brilliant for nutrient recycling because the fermentation process locks in nutrients instead of letting them escape as gas. When Bokashi waste is added to soil:

Microbes convert nutrients: Microbes break complex nutrients into plant-available forms like nitrates and phosphates.

Reduces leaching: Nutrients are stabilised in the soil, preventing them from washing away.

Improves nutrient balance: The diverse range of nutrients in Bokashi waste enhances soil fertility and supports plant growth.

Question 6

Does Bokashi work for improving sandy or clay soils?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Bokashi composting benefits all soil types:

For sandy soil: It adds organic matter, improving water retention and nutrient-holding capacity.

For clay soil: It helps break up compacted soil, improving aeration and drainage.

The microbes in Bokashi waste also improve soil structure by binding particles together into aggregates, creating a more balanced and productive soil.

Question 7

Is Bokashi safe for growing vegetables and fruits?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! In fact, it’s ideal. The nutrient-rich compost it produces is perfect for vegetable patches and fruit trees. However, after burying Bokashi waste or using soil factory compost, wait 2–4 weeks before planting directly on top to allow the waste to fully integrate and neutralise.

Question 8

Can Bokashi help with carbon sequestration in soil?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it can! Bokashi waste contributes to the creation of humus, a stable form of organic matter that locks carbon into the soil for long periods. By increasing soil organic content, Bokashi composting supports healthier soils that store more carbon, helping to combat climate change while improving soil fertility.

Question 9

Are normal earthworms suitable for composting?

Accepted Answer

Normal earthworms, also known as "garden worms" or "lob worms," are not typically suitable for composting. These worms are typically found in soil and are not well adapted to the conditions found in a worm composting bin. They require specific conditions such as a certain temperature and pH range to survive.

Question 10

I have maggots in my wormery!

Accepted Answer

Maggots are the larvae of flies and usually gain access via eggs laid on the food scraps you put in. The first step is to ensure flies can’t lay eggs in your kitchen caddy or where you store the waste before you compost it. They can be a sign that the conditions in your wormery are suitable for fly larvae to thrive and that the organic matter in the bin is rotting rather than the worms eating and composting it. Maggots are not harmful to the worms and can even be a valuable food source for them. However, if you find the population of maggots to be excessive, you can try reducing the amount of food scraps you add to the wormery or covering the bin with a lid to reduce the number of flies that can lay eggs in it.

For more help with your wormery and frequently asked questions pop on over to https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/pages/wormery-faqs. Or if you’re keen to get started or order a wormery please visit https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/worm-composting