Maria Christine

I've been following Cornell's recipe, and it's mostly zebra shells, chicken manure, and sawdust. But we are having fun experimenting, trying to find more ingredients that would make it more nutrient-rich. We are successfully growing vegetables, and my peppers are 9-inches long!

I'm not a scientist, but I do enjoy trying to connect kids with learning principles they enjoy. Figured you all would have some interesting ideas.

Thanks Dale ... you're right on the money. I have been studying this for about a year and have learned a great deal.

You bring up a point that hasn't been always clear to me. Everyone has a different viewpoint on whether the composted matter will contain anything harmful, once composted. (All the testing labs say no, but if you were me, what particular test should I run, and what can I expect to pay?)

Soil testing is all over the map, and I want to work with someone who is knowledgeable, since I am working with kids on this project.

Thank you for your input!

Yes, the chickens are eating the shells like the oyster shells that are added to their diet. I am told the chickens love them.

And thanks for the pottery shell idea. I have been asked to do something art-related with those shells, and now you have given me a great idea!

I am new to the forum and excited to be composting zebra mussel shells. I learned the recipe from Cornell and I am teaching kids in Cleveland how to compost them! They are so excited to be working on my project, and our plants are growing great!

If anyone wants to try the shells in their gardens, I can happily ship them out. I read on a previous thread that sea shells are hard to find in Kansas and other places, so let me know. We have a lot that have washed up on the beaches of Lake Erie, especially where my mom lives.

I am teaching these kids how to compost for fun, or maybe sell the shells to other urban gardeners. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations as I continue to expand my project?

Here are some photos if you want to see what the kids are up to - http://tiny.cc/wjt2jx.

I am working with middle school kids and high school students, too.