Make a Composter
What happens to a pile of old leaves outside when you add a dash of time, maybe some worms, and a healthy splash of moisture? Make soil perfect for a garden just like Daisy's!
Daisy loves to garden and use compost to help her flowers grow. Her compost heap even saved the day in the Nature Cat video Soil Stealers! Try making your own compost with this DIY experiment using everyday items.
Materials
Directions
Rinse the bottle and peel off the label.
Cut off the top of the bottle, approximately 1-2" inches below the neck of the bottle. Set the top aside.
Use a nail to punch 8 to 10 small air and drainage holes along the sides and bottom of the bottle.
Put the bottle on the tray. Put some dirt, shredded newspaper and old leaves inside the composter. This is your compost starter.
Use the spray bottle to wet the compost starter.
You're ready to add to your compost! (Try grass clippings, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, or eggshells, but do not add dairy or meat.)
Turn the bottle top upside down and place it in the open top of the bottle. It will act like a funnel for adding a little bit of water each day to keep the contents damp.
Place in a spot where sunlight can reach it. Cover the top of your compost with a kitchen towel when not in use.
Have your child check the composter each day. Ask questions such as: What does it look like? How has it changed? Every few days, have your child stir the compost and make sure to keep the contents damp. As your compost breaks down, you can add more kitchen scraps or plant litter, as well as some more soil from outside to mix in. You might see fluffy mold growing — so keep your compost covered when you're not working with it.
Bonus: Take your rich, healthy soil, place it in a pot, add a seed and some water and grow your very own plant!
Science