Re: plastic trash cans

Craig -- I've also tried the trash can method and the results were less
than satisfactory -- rolling the trash can helps aerate the top half or so
of the contents, but the problem is that you can't mix the contents from
top to bottom.  You end up with sludge in the bottom of the can.  I do far
better with rounds of chicken wire attached to wood stakes at the end and
hooked together with hook and eyes.  I wrap the inside of the chicken wire
with black plastic and cover the compost (in our dry climate, we need to
make special efforts to keep our compost from drying out).  Every week or
so, I unhook the chicken wire bin, reassemble it next to the pile and fork
the pile back in, mixing it as I go.  The three bin system is the best one
I've ever used but have yet to make one for my own backyard.

Nan


>In a message dated 6/1/99 3:02:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>Craig.Wallace@emotors.com writes:
>
><< You may want to put your left-overs in a plastic
> trash can (with lid) for $7-$8 at your local Wal-Mart. >>
>===>Don't assume this will keep the rats away.  Squirrels have eaten through
>the plastic trash can I kept my birdseed in and some other creatures,
>probably raccoons or possums, have eaten through my plastic garbage cans.
>And I don't know of a location in the city or the country that doesn't have
>raccoons anxious to eat your comnpost wastes.  If you're going to try this
>method of composting, I'd go galvanized.
>Bill Lee
>
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Nan Sterman
San Diego County California
Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11

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