I need a new compost bin. We put our food scraps in there, so it needs to be rat-proof.
Should be durable and accessible.
I guess metal ones are the most durable. I wonder if the grid or solid ones are better. Solid is warmer (faster composting) but is perfect breeding habitat for slugs.
Glad for any recommendations. I’m in Germany if that matters.
We have a worm farm/bin for food scraps.
It means our compost bin doesn’t need to be much more than something to contain the pile of stuff.
So you put it in there first and then on the compost when processed?
Not quite.
The fluid from the worm bin is a potent fertilizer, water it down and use as liquid fertilizer.
Our bin lets us harvest the semi solid slab of worm castings from the bottom, which can be used directly as compost in the garden.
I should note that not all our food waste goes in the worms. E.g. meat waste (that doesn’t go in the dog) and onion skins go in our city’s food waste bin (or regular bin).
We did have a bokashi fermenting bin for those slightly more pestelent food waste items, but we couldn’t quite get the hang of it.
I do a 3 bin system made from recycled pallets. They’re 4 foot square each. I try and turn the piles at least every week. Now, food scraps, i keep out and use the Bokashi method in a big bucket. I let it break down in there then throw in my pile when I’m turning it. I don’t have any issues with rodents. Maybe an occasional Opossum but they’re going after the bugs. The system you need all depends on how much browns and greens you have available. I have a sizable garden and giving neighbors. Go bigger than you think you need.