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The benefits of people and our natural environment are interrelated. It is imperative to teach our children to respect and properly manage our habitual surroundings. I admire that a lot of countries have already implemented recycling programs to households. For example, many kids do know how to categorize recyclable items, organic waste, yard waste, and others.
However, many families are unaware that a lot of the wastes are being kept in the landfills which take up space, release methane and potent greenhouse gas. [1] https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home. In this article, I’m going to share with you what we could do in composting some of the organic matters and the benefits of doing so.
Interesting Things in this Post
Benefits of Composting
There are tremendous benefits in composting your organic and yard wastes.
- Enriches the soil by bringing an excellent source of nutrients to your lawn.
- Decrease soil erosion
- Improve water retention which lessens the needs of watering
- Reduce the requirements for fertilizers and expensive chemicals
- Save money since there are fewer needs for fertilizers and watering
When I did my online research, a large number of home gardeners expressed by including compost in the gardens, their plants, the crop of fruits and vegetables are more healthy and colorful.
Many parents also enjoy doing this experimental activity with their child. Composting is indeed a useful, scientific and fun exercise to do with a child in the backyard.
Furthermore, the benefits do not just end on the individual level. When we compost our organic waste, it dramatically decreases its amount to be transported to the landfill. Less fuel and energy would be consumed in the transporting phase. As a result, it effectively reduces pollution and benefits our ecosystem.
What to Include in the Compost Pile?
An efficient compost pile should include both green and brown materials. According to the article from the spruce, “Which items are green and which are brown” [2]https://www.thespruce.com/composting-greens-and-browns-2539485, green materials are rich in protein or nitrogen. They typically are items that would heat up the compost pile and help the microorganisms to grow and multiply rapidly. On the other hand, brown materials are rich in carbon or carbohydrate. They are the source of energy for the compost microbes.
The list of green materials include:
- Tea bags
- Coffee grounds
- Grass clippings
- Vegetable and fruit scraps
The list of brown materials include:
- Dead leaves
- Pine needles
- Corn stalks
- Straw
- Hay
- Sawdust
- Eggs shells
- Paper (napkins, coffee filters)
- Chipped tree branches
- Twigs
According to Envirocyle Composter, a reputable manufacturer of composters, they suggest to include 75% green materials, and 25% brown in the compost pile.
I understand it is nearly impossible to keep the exact ratio. In fact, when I compiled the list of green and brown items above, I found that some website state eggshell is a green material, while some categorize them as brown.
One way to find out whether your compost pile is on the right track is to monitor its temperature. This will be discussed later in this blog post.
What to Avoid in the Compost Pile?
Although it is helpful to compost as much as we could, there are still certain types of wastes we should avoid putting into the composter. Below is the list of things I would avoid:
- Meat and fish scraps. Their smell could attract pests and animals such as mice, rats, raccoons, cats, foxes or even bears and coyotes.
- Dairy products
- Coated or glossy paper (i.e., Magazines)
- Sticky labels on vegetables and fruits
Furthermore, you should chop or shred the materials into tiny pieces before putting into the composter drum; else it would dramatically lengthen the composting process.
Four Steps to Composting
1) Prepare a Composter Bin
When choosing a composter bin, I would prefer one that can:
- Contain smell of the compost pile
- With rotating feature
- Have holes that can drain out the compost tea
- Solid and durable material
- Beautiful design in matching the outlook of my backyard
Out of all the composter drums I’ve researched in the market, the Envirocycle Composter is the one that I like.
Here’s an extensive review on it, where I talked about its pros and cons.
2) Place the Green and Brown Materials into the Composter
Whenever I mowed the lawn or tidying the yard, I would put the grass clipping, fallen leaves, and chopped branches into the composter drum.
As for the food scraps, I usually do not clean them out a daily basis because the daily amount collected is minimal. Instead, I would place them in a stainless steel bin in the kitchen, then put them in the composter every other two to three days.
I prefer a stainless steel bin over plastic bin or bag, as this is a lot easier to clean.
3) Monitor the Temperature and Turn the Compost Pile
To have an efficient compost pile, you need to monitor its temperature regularly. If its temperature is too cold, the component within the compost pile might not be active enough to do its job properly. If it gets too hot, the high temperature could also kill off the useful components.
Therefore, I would check the temperature with a thermometer that is specially designed for a compost pile. One that has a needle long enough to stick it in the middle of the pile. There should also be reading indicating whether the compost pile is in the right range of temperature.
If the compost pile is too cold, you could consider adding more green materials.
If it’s too hot, then you should turn the compost pile. You should rotate it three times every three days anyway. One thing I like about the Envirocycle Composter is its built-in rotating feature. This function saves me lots of energy from turning a massive pile using a fork.
4) Spray Compost Tea
Compost tea contains a healthy source of nutrient for a garden. A properly designed compost bin should have holes at the bottom to drain out all the compost tea. Compost tea can be poured into the soil or sprayed on plants as a liquid fertilizer. This would add microbial activity, organic acids and macro and micronutrients. However, compost tea should be diluted at most 10% compost tea mixed with at least 90% water.
5) Repeat the Process
Repeat step 2 to 4 until the composter drum is full.
The processing duration could be varied depending on the type and size of the materials you put into the compost drum, and also the weather condition of your location. Typically speaking, the compost pile would be ready around six weeks after depositing your last compost. The finished product is just like a pile of dark and crumbly soil, and it should not smell at all.
In conclusion, composting is a practical and fun activity you could do with your child. You can top up them to the soil of your lawn, garden beds, and other plants. The result is not just a healthier garden and crops; it is also an essential exercise in teaching our children to protect and preserve our natural environment. As Mother Teresa once said, “we can do no great things only small things with great love.”
P.S Here’s a cool transparent compost container for a child. It includes a fun guide in teaching a child about composting. Remember to check it out!
Disclaimer: This content of this website is for general information, and do not intend to provide any specific advice. Although I tried my best in providing accurate information, I cannot guarantee they are error-free. Information displayed on this website could be subjected to change. For any medical-related question, you should always consult with your family doctor. For safety or product related question, you should consult with the actual manufacturer.
Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking on the link. Please understand that I include them based on my experience or the research on these companies or products, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
Jacob is a father of two daughters. He loves spending quality time with them in the backyard. Playing sports, blowing bubbles, and planting are some the favorite activities Jacob and his daughters like to do together. He believes it is essential to spend quality time with them while they are still young.