How To Make Your Own
Compost In A Bottle
Introduce kids to the wonders of composting with this easy compost in a bottle project! This hands-on activity allows tamariki to layer food scraps, soil, and newspaper, watching as they break down into rich compost over 6-8 weeks. A fun way to learn about sustainability and gardening!
What You'll Need
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An empty 1.5 or 2 litre fizzy drink bottle with label removed
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Sharp scissors/craft knife
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Garden soil
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Green waste – flowers, leaves, kitchen scraps
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Shredded newspaper
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Handful of blood and bone (or other garden fertiliser)
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Water spray
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Packing tape
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Small square of breathable cloth (a chux cloth works well)
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String/rubber band
Instructions
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Remove the top third of the bottle using sharp scissors or a craft knife
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Add a small amount of garden soil to the base of the bottle
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Build layers - Alternate layers of soil, green waste, shredded newspaper, small amount of blood and bone, finishing with a top layer of soil. Spray each layer with some water (especially the newspaper layer)
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Tape the top third of the bottle back onto the filled base
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Remove the screw lid of the bottle. Cover the top with the fabric and secure with string or a rubber band
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Place in a sunny spot and watch the contents break down over 6-8 weeks
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Shake about once a week to let air through the composting materials
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Once the contents have broken down into loose crumbly compost add to the garden