Compost Bin Basics

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Last year a terrific parent built 3 composting bins for us between the playground, tool shed and greenhouse.  And do we ever compost!  Service projects abound.  Children of all ages rake leaves from mature oaks and sycamore.  Children check with Amy the lunch chef for kitchen scraps.  Apple cores and greens are shared with the bunnies; the rest is tossed into a pile.  And then there are the bunny cages with compostible litter and hay!  Makes a righteous blend.

         
Students of all ages volunteer to turn the pile.  It's great to use real tools and do real work.  There are also amazing decomposers to observe. 

In the wet spring snails abound.  Who knew they could be satisfying pets?  In the fall, we gather woolybears - the larvae of isabella moths. 

And anything kids can do, Preschoolers will definately try.  With age-appropriate tools, some instruction and loads of amused adult supervision, our four-year-olds wanted to turn compost and spread it as mulch in our gardens just like they saw the older students do.