Question

SCIENCE: MAKING COMPOST.
WHICH IS AN APPROPRIATE LAYERING PROCESS FOR A COMPOST PILE?
1. A LAYER OF DRIED LEAVES, A LAYER OF CHEESE, SOME SOIL, AND SOME WATER.
2. A LAYER OF PAPER NAPKINS, A LAYER OF GRASS CLIPPINGS, SOME SOIL, AND SOME WATER.
3. A LAYER OF PINE NEEDLES, A LAYER OF PAPER NAPKINS, SOME SOIL, AND SOME WATER.
4. A LAYER OF GRASS CLIPPINGS, A LAYER OF FRUIT SCRAPS, SOME SOIL, AND SOME WATER.

Answer 1

The most appropriate layering process for a compost pile would be option 2: A layer of paper napkins, a layer of grass clippings, some soil, and some water. This layering process provides a good balance of carbon-rich materials (paper napkins, dried leaves) and nitrogen-rich materials (grass clippings, fruit scraps) which are necessary for the decomposition process in a compost pile. Adding soil helps introduce beneficial microbes and organisms to aid in the decomposition process, and water is needed to maintain the proper moisture levels in the compost pile.