A lot of Parlekars have been using the composting basket to create black gold from kitchen waste.
Originally Developed by Shri Jayant Joshi as 'Kitchen Composter', now several prototypes are available in the market (particularly Vile Parle East). Called 'Nisargadoot', or simply 'SPA' basket.
Based on the principle of 'bio composting'.
This blog is for those who have yet to try it or for those who have tried but not got the expected results. This is the way to use the basket--------
Originally Developed by Shri Jayant Joshi as 'Kitchen Composter', now several prototypes are available in the market (particularly Vile Parle East). Called 'Nisargadoot', or simply 'SPA' basket.
Based on the principle of 'bio composting'.
This blog is for those who have yet to try it or for those who have tried but not got the expected results. This is the way to use the basket--------
PARTS OF BASKET COMPOSTING SYSTEM
1. Plastic basket
2. accelerator culture
3. cocopeat
4. stirrer
HOW IT WORKS
This system is sufficient for a family of 4-5 persons. The
system is designed to modify natural composting process so that it is faster,
free of mess and easy to use at home. It
is the ‘bioculture’ method. The accelerator culture provides special microbes
which help to convert organic waste to compost in shorter period of time. You
will see white fungus, small worms and insects in the basket which do work of
composting. Basket provides good supply of oxygen, balance of humidity and
temperature so that microbes are comfortable. With the help of stirrer you can
turn the compost as this helps it to work better. Cocopeat is added to get
proper texture by adjusting wetness.
STEPS IN STARTING
1. Open the basket
2. empty the full packet of culture into it
3. spread into a layer
4. put a handful of organic waste and mix thoroughly
5. close the lid and keep the basket in a shaded airy place
6. every day open the basket and give it a thorough
stirring. Keep the lid open for about 30- 40 mins. Then add your organic material
and stir again. Leave for 15 mins. Close the lid
7. when your basket is full upto 3/4ths it is time to
harvest the compost. At this stage do
not add fresh material for 2 days. Then to harvest you can simply sieve all the
contents and collect the fine part as compost. The coarse parts are to be added
back into the basket. Plus take a
handful of the fine part and add it back to the basket.
8. add organic matter and start the process again
WHAT PROBLEMS CAN OCCUR?
The system is designed to give practically no problems if
you read through this and follow all steps meticulously. Still one has to refer
to this write up frequently to learn the perfect way to use it by avoiding all
problems. So keep this carefully. For any problem contact me....
WHAT CAN BE COMPOSTED IN IT?
This system is ideal for composting organic material which
is generated in kitchen. It includes vegetable, fruit and non vegetarian
materials; in cooked and uncooked forms. To get best results you can do
following-
1. Always drain your organic matter in a colander and add it
to basket when it stops dripping. You may have to squeeze it to remove extra
liquid. All liquid goes into drain
2. cut your organic materials into 2 inch pieces before
adding to basket
3. for first two cycles add only raw and uncooked vegetable
and fruit material. Do not add cooked food, spoiled food or non vegetarian food
for the first 2- 3 cycles of compost making.
4. later if you plan to add cooked, spoiled or non veg food,
you follow this method- your basket must have one and half inch of material
ready in it already. Open your basket
and stir the contents thoroughly. Then take your mixed organic waste, chop them
as mentioned earlier, wash them with little water to remove masala and salt and
drain them thoroughly. Bury the material
in centre of basket and cover it over. Do not stir at this after adding. Close the
basket. Next day stir the contents thoroughly first- bury new material in
centre of basket and cover it. Close the basket. Continue till 3/4th full and harvest
compost as usual
5. if you want to add garden waste or nirmalya, following
needs to be done- add only flowers, leaves, thin twigs. Do not add thick
branches, whole coconuts or hard fruits as basket cannot cope with them even if
these are compostable. Do not add diseased materials. You may have to sprinkle
water as garden waste tends to dry out fast.
Cover with newspaper if drying out is frequent occurrence.
HOW CAN I BE COMFORTABLE AROUND MY BASKET?
To be comfortable your basket should not smell, should not
give out insects etc and look presentable. You can do following to achieve the
same.
1. control moisture- your basket contents should be moist
and grainy looking. It should not look wet and lumpy or dry and powdery.
Regular and thorough stirring gives good moisture control.
If there is lumpiness
and add cocopeat or tissue paper or sawdust or newspaper and stir again. You
have to double the time of keeping basket open. Give two three days to
normalise
If the contents look dry or powdery, stir the material and
cover it with two layers of newspaper. Then close basket lid immediately. If
after one day, it still looks dry, sprinkle a bit of water before covering with
newspaper. Give 2-3 days for it to normalise.
2. your basket will have small insects and worms as these
are the workers making your compost. We
have to ensure that they do not come out of basket. Also tea leaves can be
washed if you do not like ants coming into your basket. Give a good wipe to
your basket exterior and its immediate surroundings with a rag dipped in 50%
household vinegar. Or you can spray it on basket and surrounding after
servicing it, every 2-3 days. So the creatures remain inside and do not come
out
3. always keep basket clean from outside. Keep it on a
plastic or rubber sheet to avoid staining of floor underneath. Raise it on a
brick or small tile so drainage is easy. Keep in a place where free air
circulation is available. You may cover with single layer of thin cotton or
jute cloth. If keeping outdoors protect from direct Sun or rain exposure and
keep in a wire cage to prevent attacks from rodents. In outdoors, ants may
enter basket- do not worry about them.
HOW TO USE COMPOST
1. After harvesting, keep the compost in aerated container
like sack, cotton cloth or mud pot or open plastic container with loose lid for
at least one month. After one month compost should feel cool to the touch and
smell like wet earth after the first rains. Then it is ready for use. If smell
is different or compost is warm keep for 2 weeks more and check again. Use only
when compost is ready
2. this compost can be used for any plants to make potting
soil, for top dressing or sprinkling for added plant nutrition.
