Leaf compost bin

Learning objectives:

Compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

| Leaves | Bin | Decompose

Decompose means to break down or decay into simpler substances. In gardening, it often refers to the process of organic matter breaking down when added to compost or soil. This process is important for creating healthy soil and providing nutrients for plants.

| Soil | Garden | Organic | Recycle

Preparation

Ensure pupils know the lifecycle of plants and understand the composting process.

Equipment

• Four bamboo canes – 1.2 - 1.5m high
• Four cane
  

  A cane is a slender, straight, length of woody plant material, usually bamboo. Canes are primarily used as plant supports. The fruiting stems of blackberries, raspberries and hybrid berries (such as loganberries and tayberries) are also known as canes, so these crops are often referred to as cane fruit.

  toppers
• Measuring sticks
• 4.3m plastic netting/ windbreak netting
• Thin gardening wire – cut ten pieces each 8-10cm long
• Gloves

1. Mark out where you want your leaf bin to go. Put the cane
   

   A cane is a slender, straight, length of woody plant material, usually bamboo. Canes are primarily used as plant supports. The fruiting stems of blackberries, raspberries and hybrid berries (such as loganberries and tayberries) are also known as canes, so these crops are often referred to as cane fruit.

   toppers on the top of each cane for safety. Push the first corner cane firmly into the ground
2. Using the measuring sticks, form a square from the first cane and firmly push the other three canes into position
3. Unroll the netting and slowly walk around the four canes so that the two ends meet and the four canes are enclosed
4. Fix the netting to the canes by passing the wire through the net and twisting the two ends tightly together around the cane. Apply at least two pieces of wire per cane, spaced at the top and bottom
5. On the last cane, the netting should overlap and the wire should feed through both layers. The loose ends of the netting can either be cut off or attached to the other piece of netting with another piece of wire. This will form an enclosed bin ready for the leaves
6. Collect leaves to fill your bin

• Only add disease free deciduous
  

  Deciduous refers to plants (mainly trees and shrubs) that lose their leaves seasonally, usually during autumn. This is a natural process triggered by the season's shorter days and lower temperatures and allows plants to conserve energy during the winter months.

  leaves to the leaf bin. Don’t use conifer and evergreen leaves such as holly, as these can take up to three years to rot down
• Water the bin if it becomes too dry