Composting For Kids

Writen by Katina Mooneyham

I'd think some kids would say yuck to the prospect of a compost bin especially when they learn of the rot and decay that go on in the pile. Some kids might think it interesting. Either way, knowing that compost helps the garden to grow better, faster and more productive can help change a kid's mind about compost or make it more interesting.

What is Composting?

A compost pile is basically rotted material used to supplement a garden area with nutrients and moisture retention power. But it's more than just a pile of rot. There is a science and art to a compost pile.

Everything rots eventually. When it breaks down, it breaks down into a simpler, less complex substance. This can be stimulated by many things in the environment including weathering (erosion) and other chemicals.

The soil consists of layers. The top layer is often called the organic material layer because it's where the plants get their nutrients. When you form a compost pile, you are adding to this ability to maintain the correct amount of nutrients and add a moisture retention ability, the ability to hold water which the living plants need.

Building a Compost Bin

Compost piles can be simple or they can be elaborate. Kids can usually dig the simple compost pile. It's simple and yet a very effective compost pile.

Containing the compost is the best bet because it allows you to control the pile better. It also prevents wind or animals from coming and destroying your compost pile.

Any type of container will do as long as you have some air holes. The air does help break down the compost pile. Remember, it needs to rot. You could also take building materials such as bricks, blocks or wood and build a small box or rectangular shaped container. Then make sure you have some sort of lid even just a piece of wood that you place on top.

Be sure to turn the compost at least once a day, preferably twice a day in hotter weather. The compost pile needs to cook. Cook? Yes, it gets hot and that helps organisms such as bacteria to further the rotting process. You can constantly add stuff to the compost pile as it continues to break down. It can take a little or long time to break down things depending on what it put into the compost pile.

What to Put into the Compost Pile

There are many things that can be put into the compost pile and there are some things you should not put into the compost pile. You can put leaves and grass clippings from when you (or your parents) mow the lawn. These help add nutrients too. You can also add table scraps such as the leftover green peas or other vegetables.

Just be sure not to add any scraps that include meat or other material that contains oil like pastas. These can cause an odor and that might attract unwanted visitors to your compost pile such as raccoons, opossums and insects.

You can add some things to a compost pile like a compost starter substance that you buy at a home and garden store. This contains helpful bacteria that help break down the compost pile faster and effectively.

Remember to turn your compost pile at least once or twice a day. Turn it also when you add new stuff to mix it in good. Begin a compost pile today and you will have a very rich garden in the future.

Katina Mooneyham is the contributing editor for Little Gardeners (http://www.gardenandhearth.com/LittleGardeners.htm)at Garden and Hearth.com. She has written various articles on gardening mostly about gardening with kids. She maintains a blog on gardening at http://littlegardeners.blogspot.com

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