A
compost heap has many benefits.
It will:
• recycle
waste
• produce
a useful and valuable resource
• improve
the soil structure
• encourage
good plant growth
Many schools have grass clippings, waste garden material and pre-meal vegetable
waste. So what happens to it? It is probably all thrown into the local landfill.
Why not make use of this free resource? It will turn into wonderful compost
- the perfect plant food and soil improver.
A compost heap is easy to start and maintain. Students can use this resource
to study decomposition, micro-organisms and recycling.
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A
variety of compost containers
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How
do we make compost?
You can make compost in a heap on the ground or you may prefer a container.
For further information see:
• Building
a compost box - HDRA factsheet
• Buying
a compost bin - HDRA factsheet
• Composting
- HDRA Step-by-step booklet
Find a spot in your garden for your container or heap. This should be on
grass or bare soil, not concrete or tarmac. Liquid
is released during the composting process and needs to soak away.
| Remember
- Gloves should be worn at all times when handling any waste materials.
Wash your hands with hot soapy water and rinse well under running water
when you have finished. |
You can start to fill your container or build your heap at any time of the year.
Make sure that you have a good mix of tough stuff (such as woody prunings, straw
or even junk mail) and soft stuff (such as grass and kitchen waste). Aim for
about one third tough stuff to two-thirds soft stuff.
Don't worry if you can't fill the bin all at once. Just keep adding material
until you fill the bin. Don't worry if it doesn't get hot. Heaps built slowly
don't heat up, but they still produce good compost. The
composting process is likely to take some months so don't expect compost in
a few weeks.
What
can I compost?
Find out here
Add the composting material as it becomes available. Keep the top covered
to keep moisture in, but excessive rain out. After several months, the bottom
layers of the heap should look like rich dark soil and will smell sweet.
Congratulations - You've got your own
garden compost, ready to use whenever needed.
When you rake out the ready compost, if you find any solid lumps, put them back
onto the heap or into the bin to start the next batch.
Don't worry if you have a lot of persistent weeds like bindweed, these can be
used too. Collect them up and place them in a black bin liner and tie the top.
Wait until they have turned into sludge and then add to your compost bin.
What
can we find out?
Whilst creating and maintaining a compost heap there are a number of investigations
that students can carry out.
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Building
a compost heap. |
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Design
Technology - Designing, building and evaluating a product.
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| Maths
- Real life measurements and volume. |
National
Curriculum  Maths
• Ma2: 1a,1b,1c,1e,1f,1h,1j 4a,4b,4c -
Ma3: 1a,1e 4a,b4 |
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Exploring
what can be composted. |
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Science
- Materials and their properties. |
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Geography
- Recycling. |
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Creating
a compost heap. |
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Science - Materials and their properties. |
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Geography - Recycling. |
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Changes
in compost temperature. |
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Maths
- Measurement and graphs. |
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Decomposition
of different materials. |
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Science
- Decomposition and micro- organisms. |
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Maths - Measurements and graphs. |
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Diversity
of wildlife present. |
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Science
- Diversity and food chains/webs. Maths - numeracy. |
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Micro-organisms
and their benefits. |
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Science - Decomposition and micro-organisms. |
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Click
here if you need help with any of the investigations.
or telephone us on (024) 7630 8238
| Health
and safety issues |
- Keep
cuts and any broken skin covered
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After
handling any compost or waste materials wash hands well with soap
and running water.
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Keep people with breathing or immune deficiency problems away from
the compost heap when it is being turned. Fungal spores are released
which may cause a reaction in susceptible people.
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Keep anti-tetanus protection up-to-date.
- Limit
contents of the compost heap to materials of plant origin only.
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Use manure from vegetarian pets (rabbits, guinea pigs) only.
Avoid cat and dog manure. They can contain pathogens that are harmful
to humans.
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Making
a compost heap