What is Compost?

Compost is a nutrient rich soil, made from natural recyclable materials found in the garden and the kitchen. You can easily buy compost from a gardening shop, but making your own is so much more fun. It’s easier if you have a garden because it needs a space to expand then rot down. Nowadays you can use composting bins, which are made smaller for houses without gardens. Put your waste in the top, and turn a tap on the bottom to let out the smelly liquid.

If you are going to make compost, ask an adult first so they can tell you where to do it. Compost heaps can smell a bit, so try going for a corner away from the house. The first step is to put a bucket in your kitchen, print out the Dan The Gardener “Compost Diary” sheet and stick it to the bucket.

Now, when you or your family go to throw something away, you can check if you can compost it or not by checking the list. This works for recycling as well, print off the 3R’s diary sheet (under games & downloads) to tell you what can be recycled. Make sure that anything that you can recycle or compost goes straight in the right bin.

Florence the earthworm and her friends and family searched the world for the best compost heap to live in and they managed to find Dan’s in Three Little Woods. This is where Dan first met Florence the earthworm and she now helps him with all the gardening. Earthworms live in the finest compost, so if you have them that’s great. Compost takes around 6 to 9 months to rot down completely, so patience is needed. Worms are great for compost as they feed it with nutrients, which make it even richer.

When it is finished the compost will be like a fine soil. You can now use it to add to some soil as great food for your plants.

Have a look at our Worm Farm Gift