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Compost piles are simple to create, useful for your garden and good for the
environment. A compost pile can be free standing, or can be protected by
putting it in a metal garbage bin, or creating another type of bin from
wood, wire, or other similar material. There are also ready-made compost
bins that you can purchase. The enclosure should be approximately one cubic
yard, and be in an area where it can remain free from animal waste.
To ensure that your compost pile has everything that it needs be sure and
include all of the following, including a mixture of
- Dry materials (ex. dry leaves, straw, wood chips,
newspaper)
- Fresh materials (ex. grass clipping, kitchen scraps)
- Soil
- Air
- Water
Include in this three parts dry to one parts fresh. You will want to
alternate the layers and water them keeping it as moist as a wrung out
sponge. You will then continue to feed your compost pile with dry and fresh
matter. There are a few items you will not want to include in your compost
pile. These include: bones, meat, animal feces and greasy foods.
Children love to take an active role in composting.
1. You can have them sort food scraps after cooking and meals so they
learn what is appropriate to add to the compost.
2. Cleaning up the yard will bring on a whole new meaning for the kids
when they know it has a purpose.
3. Use the compost with your child to create a garden.
Composting and gardening teach children science, responsibility, good
nutrition and many other valuable lessons.
New to gardening? Here's how to make a
Container Garden |
