Even though my season isn't finished yet, I'm already preparing for next and I have tons of ideas and questions.

I planted some blueberry bushes a couple weeks ago and now I'm looking for a good spot to put my Blackberry (hopefully thornless) vines.

I'm going to transplant my strawberries this weekend, so I can actually get enough to make jam next year.

Anybody else doing anything? It's going to be a long winter, start planning now.

KUXJ

The main reason your getting flies is because the adult flies are able to reach your food, and veggie scraps.
For anything you place in your composter, you need to bury it at least 2", don't matter with what, just needs to be covered on all sides.

You can also try hanging plastic freezer bags filled with water near the composter.
Some gardeners swear by it.
Verminators : HowStuffWorks Articles : Discovery Channel

k

Just Dahlia

Really They never said anything about that
I'll try the paper and a little soil.

KUXJ

I started a pile back in the spring with oh, a couple, to 3hundred lbs. of soil, and as long as I kept the scraps completely covered, all was well, but let just a piece exposed, the flies would appear.

One grace I have is, the weather is getting colder so the fly problem subsides, but I still have to be careful or I can also attract the night foragers from skunks to deer.

Just Dahlia

I used to have a semi open bin 7 years ago and never had any problem at all

KUXJ

Has anything changed since this photo, Like after the big storm?
What's your neighbor have on the other side of that fence?

Just Dahlia

That's my fence, the other side is the front yard. Nothing has changed in that area that I'm aware of. I'll check the front and see what's going on when I get home from work, but I think everything is still the same, unless a sprinkler broke.
I had been just throwing stuff in there weekly and not putting anything on top. I'll bury now.

KUXJ

It is also helpful if you can mix or turn the "pile" every now an then.

'bout that possible broken sprinkler...Its okay to have a moist to dry mix, but not one that is soppin' wet, otherwise you won't generate the heat needed for fermentation.

Just Dahlia

I cleaned out all my hoses on the pond today and guess what??? it's running better
Also baited some mouse traps around the garden bench and wood pile with chunky peanut butter (all I had, used the rest for dog cookies) before they come into the house, I'm always keeping the door open

My Romaine is looking good I never tried lettuce before. I set up a pot (sort of) in the back area that doesn't get much sun except in the summer, but it is wasted space and I hate that. Don't know what I will plant in it yet. Maybe a tomatoe next year,

I've been collecting pieces of old duct work from an HVAC company that dumps their garbage where I work. If I can get to it before the 'Junk Man' comes... I have pots! Square, Rectangle, round... it's scary that my DH hasn't complained yet. I still have not painted them, so they are silver and look like what they are, but suit the purpose.