How to Make a Compost Pile for Kids
A compost pile is a great way for children to see how organic matter decomposes to create a rich, nutrient-filled fertilizer and soil amendment for the garden. It also teaches recycling of daily kitchen and yard waste, and just how beneficial worms and insects are. Adults help is required in setting up the compost pile, and children can do the rest of the work.
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Things You'll Need
- Green plant clippings
- Brown organic material
- Soil
- Garden hose
- Pitchfork or shovel
- 12' long x 3' high chicken wire
- Wire cutters
- 4 garden stakes
- work gloves
Instructions
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1
Select the area for the compost pile. It should be at least a few feet away from the house, backyard fence and any other structure. This allows access to all sides of the pile and will keep the decomposers, like ants, spiders and beetles, a distance from the house.
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2
Cut the chicken wire into four 3’ by 3’ panels with the wire cutters. An adult should cut the chicken wire for smaller children or supervise older children. Twist the ends of the chicken wire together while wearing work gloves. Stake the four corners to help the wire stand in place.
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3
Spray water on the ground within the fencing.
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4
Dump grass clippings, coffee grounds or other green waste into the compost area. Green material provides nitrogen. Make this layer 2 to 4 inches deep.
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5
Add a 2- to 4-inch layer of brown organic material, such as leaves, twigs and shredded newspaper. Brown material provides carbon. Aim for a balance of green and brown to ensure there is enough nitrogen to decompose the materials faster. A 2-to-1 ratio of green to brown is OK, but adding any more nitrogen will slow down decomposition.
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6
Water the pile until it is damp.
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Stir the pile with a pitchfork or shovel, depending on what the child can safely handle. Stir the pile every couple of days and whenever new things are added to the pile.
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8
Shovel the finished compost from the pile when it has been reduced to the consistency of soil. It is not necessary to use all the compost before adding more organic material. Dig compost into garden soil or use it on top of soil as a mulch.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a compost bin if the child is too young to manage a compost pile.
Never put meat, fats or oily substances in the compost pile.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit garden sign image by Christopher Nolan from Fotolia.com
