Are you interested in composting, but you aren’t quite sure where to start? Here is some advice from our seventh and eighth grade friends at Eisenhower Middle School to help you create your own compost at home using items you might already have laying around!
A Recipe for Compost – Your garden will love it!
Materials Needed:
- 18 gallon plastic bin with lid
- Drill with a large drill bit (1/8″)
- A ruler
- Shredded paper
- Eggshells
- Coffee grounds
- Raw veggie scraps
- Water
- Red wiggler worms (optional)
Step 1: Gather all of your materials. Drill a hole approximately every two inches across the lid, sides, and bottom of the bin.
Step 2: Set your bin outside or on a waterproof surface. Across the bottom, add a layer of leaves or shredded paper to start off your compost. Then continue layering with the veggie scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells, and then top it off with another layer of shredded paper. When your materials resemble a compost lasagna, pour 6-8 cups of water evenly across the bin.
Step 3: Find a shaded area that is protected from wildlife and small children. It’s okay if your compost bin is exposed to wind, rain, and light sunshine; however, excessive wind, moisture, or heat from sunlight may damage your compost. So make sure to check on your bin frequently!
Step 4: Once a week, mix or stir your compost thoroughly by rolling the bin or stirring it with a stick.
Step 5: (OPTIONAL) To accelerate your composting process, you may want to invest in or find some compost WORMS!!! If you do this step, make sure to check the temperature and moisture level daily to care for your worms – they like a cool, damp (but not soggy) compost home.
Check out additional photos and information in their slideshow presentation here.
This article was composed by Andrea J., Alec O., Nelson B., Libby N., Tajala S., and Abbie G. of Eisenhower Middle School.