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Speak to us of compost.
For the past few years I haven't had easy access to my familiar premade bins and have been roughing it by digging holes and covering them with something heavy to keep the pests out. It's been so-so; it does seem to help the garden somewhat, but we get a lot of snails. I'm hoping our next home will bring us somewhere with more acreage so we have more space for a big bin, maybe even a DIY pallet bin.
How is your compost going?
Oct 07 · 2 months ago · 👍 HanzBrix
We made a robust structure out of hemlock 4x4s (for the posts) and 2x6 walls with 1/4" hardware cloth for screening. A shed-roof style top with metal roofing is on top. Has done well, even with a very active black bear population around here interested in it. Has a few chunks taken out of the side, but still intact!
☯️ dragfyre [OP] · Oct 08 at 14:24:
do the bears tend to attack it? over here it's rats we have to worry about more, but I'm assuming if you can build a bear-proof compost bin you should be able to build a rat-proof one...
I think they tried but gave up. There are easier pickings in our general area for them to snack on. I'd rather deal with bears than rats, I don't know how you'd keep them from finding a way in. Maybe build a cat house nearby and employ some natural predation strategies...
I never seem to be able to get the quantity of ingredients needed to make a good size pile that will heat up. I've been buying it a couple of towns over but it's not great stuff. I use it for mulch and it will work into the soil eventually. I'm doing no till.