CUISINE & CULTURE
ELLEN PEFFLEY
This is the fourth and last week of ideas to keep youngsters engaged in the garden this summer. Building a compost bin from wooden pallets is a project for the young ones who like the physical activity of swinging a hammer and getting in some saw action.
Most school-age children are introduced into taking care of the environment at some point in their education, likely with some instruction on doing what we can to keep the environment clean and healthy. Recycling has a role in a keeping a healthy environment.
Building a compost bin accomplishes these goals by recycling kitchen waste and recycling pallets, while expending energy as the bin is built and exercising the mind to formulate a plan for the bin and using a little math. All good for young minds and bodies.
Building instructions in this column are a combination of ideas gleaned from several websites. The main website used for the construction has been taken from familyhandyman.com.
Assemble these items:
• Several used wooden pallets. Often pallets are given away at no cost from box stores. Select the cleanest.
• Tools: safety goggles and gloves, measuring tape, pencil, hand saw, chisel, and hammer.
Step 1. Disassemble pallets using a pry bar and hammer taking care to not splinter the wood. (A good way to expend energy.) Discard nails.
Step 2. Cut boards to desired length, making them all the same length. A suggested finish size is 42 inches square.
Step 3. This may be the trickiest for young fingers. If they have played with Lincoln Logs, this will help them visualize the process. Prepare the top and bottom boards by cutting notches in ONE side of four pallet boards ¾ inch deep and 1 ¼ inch from the end of the board. Notch all other boards on both edges. Knock out cut wedges with the chisel.
Step 4. Lay out boards in a square. Add one layer at a time, using the hammer to snug boards into the notches. Add layers and finish with the prepared top boards.
There will be space between the board layers. This is part of the construction plan as the space between layers gives the needed aeration to aid in the composting process.
In next week’s column will be instructions for composting organic matter.
Wishing those young hands good luck with their project!
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers.
