compost bin/keeping animals at bay

15 years ago

I want to start composting (as we have no yard waste it would be mostly kitchen scraps and paper) but want to create a bin/area that will not attract even more critters to our property. We currently host tons of rabbits, gophers, mice, crows, other miscellaneous birds, and get occasional coyotes, deer (not so much), and our area once every couple of years or so gets a lost young bear who has wandered off from the foothills 15 miles west of us. We don't live in the area where we need to cook with the windows closed or keep our garbage indoors b/c of bears, so really the concern is smaller animals.

I was thinking of a regular big garbage can drilled with holes and to bungee cord the lid. Do you think I should build a fence around it or is that overkill? Bunnies are obviously not going to topple the can, but will the ground rodents gnaw at it?

Like I said, we have no yard waste as we live in the desert southwest, and have a natural landscape, but I was looking for a way to dispose of kitchen scraps from fruit and veggies and "brown" stuff like paper. Thanks for any suggestions.

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Comments (6)

robertz6
15 years ago
Rather than try to make a bin that can protect against animals, how about not worrying about the bin, and composting so that you attract a min. of animals?

My dog shows no interest in any of my seven open style compost mesh bins, even when fish are placed in the core.
I start my piles with shredded leaves and the optimal mix of coffee grounds and fresh cut grass. When the mix heats up in two or three days, the more problematic ingredients like fish and fruit and veggie wastes are added in the center of the pile.

At a core temp. of 130F to 165F, the fish dissolve in less than ten days.

The composter does have to understand the basics of composting, i.e.
Pile size
Material size
C:N ratio, or at least right mix of materials being used
Moisture and turning
digdirt2
15 years ago
I agree with all that robert6 said above. But I am more concerned that if kitchen scraps and newspaper is all you going to have to contribute to the pile, the odds of it being successful are quite slim. You need much more than that for effective composting regardless of the container/bin you use. Is straw readily available in your area? Additional sources of nitrogens?

However, your goals could be perfectly met with vermicomposting - that's what it is basically, papers and kitchen scraps. And with it you wouldn't have to worry about the other animals. ;)

I'd suggest you do some research on vermicomposting and see if it isn't more what you are looking for.

Dave
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lama26
Original Author
15 years ago
You know, I think the vermicomposting is more along the lines of what I will need. We could buy hay/straw at the tack and feed store, but I am really just looking for a way to avoid throwing those scraps, coffee grounds, and such into a trash bag and hopefully getting something useful out of it for my garden as a nice benefit.

And I can keep the worm bin in my attached insulated garage, thus making it incredibly convenient.
oldmainer
15 years ago
Hi lama26...I think you should recycle the paper...if you have that service where you live.
I think you should go to the local big box store and buy yourself an el-cheapo blender...fill it two-thirds full of kitchen scraps...cup of water...high speed blend till everything is fine. Go out into your yard...punch a hole under a bush or tree with a crow bar...pour in your blended material...cover hole opening over with soil. Your plants etc. will love it...Franklin
trancegemini_wa
15 years ago
I agree with digdirt, if you only have kitchen scraps with no yard waste then vermicomposting is ideal.

Here is a link that might be useful: vermicomposting forum
lama26
Original Author
15 years ago
oldmainer, I thought about burying it, but what about in the winter when the ground is frozen? Could I freeze the scraps from November - March/April and then bury them in the spring? We have hard clay and caliche (I think that's what it is called) so its hard enough to dig a hole when the ground is "soft".

Trees, haha. I have weeds and dirt, no trees, but plenty of room to dig a hole (or 50) where it will bother no one.

Thanks

compost bin/keeping animals at bay

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robertz6

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compost bin/keeping animals at bay

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robertz6

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