Our Boys have some friends over today. We are going swimming later this afternoon. I asked them, thinking they would laugh at me and run away, if they would like to tear apart my compost pile. The neighbor boys were all into it, so my boys agreed. It took them about ten minutes to deconstruct the pile. This made them happy and saved my middle aged back.
It turns out this was a teaching opportunity. They wanted to know why we did this. Before I had a chance to answer, Middle Monkey spoke up and said, "To recycle." Then one of them asked, "What do you do with it?" Baby Monkey replied, "Dig it into the dirt for the plants to eat." They were very interested in all the bugs that live in a compost pile. Which lead to the question, "How do you get rid of the bugs?" In unison, my boy exclaimed, "You don't get rid of the bugs! The bugs are part of it. The bugs help make compost."
I explained that compost has a lot of uses. It holds moisture and cuts down on the amount of watering we need to do. It also reduces the amount of fertilizer the plants need. It keeps the food scraps and yard waste out of the landfill. Compost is very useful stuff indeed.
I was very proud of my boys and their knowledge of compost and very grateful that the compost pile was turned for me.
Oh, you are so sneaky clever. Next time it needs turning, just call the neighborhood team. Wish I'd known one years ago when I did the large compost piles. They are a bunch of work!
ReplyDeleteAnd you should be proud! I know my four year old grandson takes great pleasure in tearing most anything up. It simply amazes me to watch, having had two girls.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about! Isn't it nice when they can help you out and teach information to their friends at the same time? A fun activity turned science lesson without any of them really even thinking too much about it!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbee, I really didn't think they would do it, but they did.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brenda, they are pretty amazing. I have brothers, but in a big family the boys go one way and the girls go the other. Now my attention is totally focused on what boys do.
Cinj, it was pretty cool.
How sweet! It was always my oldest son's job to turn my pile-with much grumbling I might add. But a good learning experience no matter what and definitely easier on the back!
ReplyDeleteLovely post and picture - takes me back - I have three boys - all grown up now!
ReplyDeleteIt is great that the Monkeys have such a good awareness of compost and recycling
Regards
Karen
Hi, Tina. This was definitely much easier on my old back.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen, I guess some of it is rubbing off.
Wow, Debbi, you have taught your boys well. I am SO impressed!!! Clearly they have taken the true message of gardening and earth stewardship to heart!
ReplyDeleteDebbi, you should be so proud of all you've taught them. It's amazing what they retain.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteThanks Dee and ofb, I am proud of them. Still remember, these are the same boys who stapled blankets to the celling
ReplyDeleteHow cool! See? They really were listening to you all along....
ReplyDeleteNow, ship them north to turn my compost pile, will ya?
Hi sherry, pretty sure child labor is still not legal, durn.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a neat story. They surprise you sometimes, don't they? So cool that they wanted to help and educated their friends. You've done a great job!
ReplyDeletedang, why don't I have any boys?!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Diana.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, I frequently say why don't I have girls? Thankfully, I have a lot of sisters and nieces.
What a treat! To have a crew of boys digging in my compost pile would be a dream come true!!!! Unfortunately, we didn't get to have kids so I have to borrow someone's elses boys if I want help like you had. I love teaching moments like that!
ReplyDeleteCindy at Rosehaven Cottage
Hi Cindy, Two of those were borrowed. Having them do it for me was pretty sweet.
ReplyDeleteMy two never miss an opportunity to pull something to pieces
ReplyDeletepatientgardener, ain't it the truth.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbi,
ReplyDeleteWould your Monkeys consider an international vacation? I've got nine compost heaps that need the same treatment over here!
Seriously, that's a great story - it's always breahtaking how much they take in isn't it, almost by osmosis it seems?
Hi vp, we would so come turn your compost piles, unfortunately, we gotta go to Oklahoma.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of them tearing into it! To hear them explain it to others means you know they get it. That's great!
ReplyDeleteI think that it is splendid experience for boys.
ReplyDeleteJust goes to show that children listen and pay attention WAY more than we think they do! (Unfortunately this applies to bad things, too ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's great your kids have been indoctrinated, um, schooled in composting! Good for them for explaining it to their friends!
ReplyDelete~ Monica
P.S. I love my rain barrel which I made from a 35-gallon container that water treatment chemicals came in--I got it from the water treatment plant for free. A frugal person's dream price!
Hello my Japanes friend. Thanks for visiting. I saw the Kurt and Jack were linked to your site. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAin't it the truth Lisa. I won't tell you what one of my boys learned to say when he was 2. Wasn't nice, nuff said.
Hi Monica, Yes I have tried to brainwash them. Unfortunately, they resist and want to think for themselves.