Make compost

What can we use if we don't have the plastic bin or garden soil called for in the instructions?

If you don't have the compost bin, use an old lidded plastic storage container or large bucket and poke air holes in the sides and lid as the instructions say, and substitute potting soil or a scoop of backyard dirt for the one inch of garden soil starter layer.

My compost smells or has bugs—what step did I miss and how do I fix it?

If your bin smells or attracts bugs, add more brown material (about two inches of dry leaves or shredded newspaper), cover the green one-inch layer with a thin layer of soil or more brown material as instructed, keep the lid closed, and turn the compost once a week to aerate it.

How can I adapt this compost project for kids of different ages?

For preschoolers, have them help pour the one-inch soil starter and add brown and green layers while an adult pokes the holes and sprays water lightly, and for older kids let them measure layer thickness, label the bin with today's date, turn the compost weekly with a trowel, and track the four-to-eight week breakdown.

What are some ways to extend or personalize the composting activity after following the steps?

You can personalize the project by decorating and labeling the bin, adding red wiggler worms after the layers are set and dampened to speed decomposition, keeping a weekly turning log with your stick or trowel, and sharing the finished dark crumbly compost on DIY.org.