Q: I have two compost questions: I live in Chicago and really want to start composting this summer. But my biggest fear is attracting more wildlife (translation: rats!) to the compost pile. I would like to purchase an inexpensive (if possible) closed system to work with. Does anyone have any recommendations?
...And secondly, I have a LOT of straw baskets left over from office lunches and catering. Can i compost these? They do not look varnished or treated.
Sent by Rebecca
Editor: Maria Finn (who wrote this post for us on worm composting) recommends checking out CompostBins.com and Eco-Outfitter.com for outdoor composters. (Compost Bins has reader reviews on their products, which we always find immensely helpful.) Additionally, check out these posts for more information:
• How To Use a Stackable Compost Bin
• Best Composters and Tools 2009
• The Bokashi Composter
Readers, tell us what you'd recommend to help Rebecca get started!
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I went for the 2 in one composter and tea maker. It's a round (black or green) thing on a base which collects the "tea". We've had it for a couple of years now and I really like it. No critters get in (even the dog, and believe me, she tries), and it does make compost pretty quickly. My mom is an old school composter, with a huge uncovered pile, so I was unaware of the supposed miracles of "tea". But it's easy to make and seems to be good fertilizer. The container is well designed and easy to turn even when it's full. A thumbs up. Live in Brooklyn, with a pretty small backyard.
mpee, got a link to it?
This sounds like a DIY version of the stackable bin linked above, but for our townhouse, I purchased four plastic storage bins with clear boxes and opaque lids. I drilled holes in every lid for ventilation and drainage and holes in every bottom for drainage. The top three hold compost and drain into the lower boxes - ultimately into the bottom box for the "tea". The three boxes allow me to rotate the boxes as compost compacts or as compost becomes ready to use. The lids snap closed to keep compost in, critters out, and aesthetics decent.
It's cheap, and indeed plastic, and not my idea. I saw it here on AT or on IkeaHacker somewhere. It works so well that - I kid you not - someone stole our compost bin during the last snowstorm, and I had to start all over again right before getting the garden ready for spring :-(.