Compost with Kids
Having a compost pile or bin is a great way to learn and work together as a family. It is of my belief that it is necessary to replenish the Earth of nutrients and that food waste does not belong in the garbage. Composting is a great way to reduce your waste and replenish the Earth to be good stewards of the world we’ve been given. Today, Colleen from Raising Lifelong Learners goes through the ins-and-outs of composting with kids and how to get started even without any sort of elaborate system!
I want them to feel connected to their world, and gardening, planting, pruning, and playing outside all help them relate to the world, and in turn, want to protect the environment. It becomes more about being good stewards of the world they’ve been given, rather than something they should do just so because people say they should.
A few years ago we started a compost pile to show them another way we could reduce and recycle waste. It was great fun, and super easy to do if you have kids.
What is Composting?
Compost is a nutrient-rich soil that is created when organic materials like leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps are allowed to decompose naturally. By creating a composting bin in your yard, you’re trapping beneficial microorganisms within the pile of organic material and speeding up the process of decomposition.
You’re left with a dark brown, crumbly soil that smells like a forest floor. It’s amazingly nutritious for your garden and house plants.
Why Compost?
There are many reasons to compost with your kids. Some of the top reasons are:
- Your organic waste {fruit peels, egg shells, grass clippings, vegetable scraps, etc.} makes up more than 30% of the trash that ends up in our landfills.
- Your plants will be healthier and hardier if you grow them from soil rich in composted nutrients.
- When you add moisture to compost-rich soil, it is retained better, again making plants healthier.
- Compost can allow you to use inferior or sandy soil.
- Home composting allows you a great opportunity to teach your children about recycling and about the natural cycle of life.
- It’s fun.
Getting Started
So, how do you do it? How do you and your kids build a compost pile in your yard?
- Choose a location: Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t really matter if your pile is in a sunny or shady spot. It’s the microorganisms at work that heat your pile up. It should, however, be at least two-feet away from any structures, and in a well-drained spot.
- Decide on a pile or bin: Composting doesn’t require any special equipment. You can start a simple pile in your backyard or purchase a special bin for it. A bin keeps it contained and might make the decomposition process go faster. But, either works.
- Load it up with materials: Fill your compost bin or pile with about 60% chopped up brown leaves and 40% grass clippings and food scraps. You don’t really need have to chop everything up, but it will speed the process up.
- Add water: As you build your pile, water from time to time. The microbes need moisture to survive – but not too much. Tell your child that you need to keep it as damp as a wrung-out sponge.
- Turn your pile: Once a day, use a shovel or pitchfork to turn your pile, breaking up clumps and infusing oxygen into the material so your microorganisms thrive. You’ll keep your compost healthier and it will work faster.
Are you ready to start your own compost pile? Your kids will learn a lot, and your garden will thank you.
About Colleen
Colleen is a former teacher of gifted children who prayed for nice, average children. Since God has a sense of humor, she now stays at home to homeschool her highly gifted kids, trying desperately to stay one step ahead of them while writing about their adventures {and messes} at Raising Lifelong Learners.
Buy Colleen’s book, (affiliate link) Hands-on Ecology: Real-Life Activities for Kids to get more great Earth Day ideas from her and to teach them practical ways to conserve and be better stewards of their environment.
Find more inspirational and educational posts from the Ultimate Earth Day Guide. And click the links below for other posts that might interest you.
Kara is an author and advocate for positive, grace-filled parenting. She is homeschooler to her 6 children living on a farm in New England. She believes in creative educational approaches to help kids dive deeper into a rich learning experience and has her degree in Secondary Education & Adolescent Childhood Development. She is passionate about connecting with and helping other parents on their journey to raise awesome kids!
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