So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been putting
spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes putting food down
the garbage disposal (but not very often because plumbers told me not to),
and mainly throwing the food away. We just threw out a LOT of it! It was
either stuff I bought for my husband that he didn't eat (and we can't or
won't) or special stuff that I mail ordered for Angela that went past its
expiration date.

Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well. When
they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to have a kitchen
composter to put it in which needs to be emptied daily. Says to put baking
soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in the lid for fruit flies.

I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the corner
sells them.

Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems like they
would be.

In article >,
"Julie Bove" > wrote:

> So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been putting
> spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes putting food down
> the garbage disposal (but not very often because plumbers told me not to),
> and mainly throwing the food away. We just threw out a LOT of it! It was
> either stuff I bought for my husband that he didn't eat (and we can't or
> won't) or special stuff that I mail ordered for Angela that went past its
> expiration date.
>
> Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well. When
> they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to have a kitchen
> composter to put it in which needs to be emptied daily. Says to put baking
> soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in the lid for fruit flies.
>
> I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the corner
> sells them.
>
> Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems like they
> would be.

I have my own compost bin outside and a pail that I keep under my sink
for vegetable waste. I bought the pail from Gardeners.com. It has a
charcoal filter in the lid for odors that I replace periodically. Even
though I don't get it outside every day, I've never had fruit flies
inside and almost never notice them outside.

--
"[xxx] has very definite opinions, and does not suffer fools lightly.
This, apparently, upsets the fools."
---BB cuts to the pith of a flame-fest

Alice Faber wrote:
> In article >,
> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>
>> So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been putting
>> spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes putting food down
>> the garbage disposal (but not very often because plumbers told me not to),
>> and mainly throwing the food away. We just threw out a LOT of it! It was
>> either stuff I bought for my husband that he didn't eat (and we can't or
>> won't) or special stuff that I mail ordered for Angela that went past its
>> expiration date.
>>
>> Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well. When
>> they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to have a kitchen
>> composter to put it in which needs to be emptied daily. Says to put baking
>> soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in the lid for fruit flies.
>>
>> I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the corner
>> sells them.
>>
>> Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems like they
>> would be.
>
> I have my own compost bin outside and a pail that I keep under my sink
> for vegetable waste. I bought the pail from Gardeners.com. It has a
> charcoal filter in the lid for odors that I replace periodically. Even
> though I don't get it outside every day, I've never had fruit flies
> inside and almost never notice them outside.
>

ditto

coffee grounds (with the paper filter)
tea leaves
egg shells
also go well into compost material

do NOT put potato peels in the compost, as they will grow!! LOL

kate

"Alice Faber" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>
>> So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been
>> putting
>> spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes putting food
>> down
>> the garbage disposal (but not very often because plumbers told me not
>> to),
>> and mainly throwing the food away. We just threw out a LOT of it! It
>> was
>> either stuff I bought for my husband that he didn't eat (and we can't or
>> won't) or special stuff that I mail ordered for Angela that went past its
>> expiration date.
>>
>> Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well. When
>> they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to have a
>> kitchen
>> composter to put it in which needs to be emptied daily. Says to put
>> baking
>> soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in the lid for fruit flies.
>>
>> I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the corner
>> sells them.
>>
>> Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems like
>> they
>> would be.
>
> I have my own compost bin outside and a pail that I keep under my sink
> for vegetable waste. I bought the pail from Gardeners.com. It has a
> charcoal filter in the lid for odors that I replace periodically. Even
> though I don't get it outside every day, I've never had fruit flies
> inside and almost never notice them outside.

Well, that's good. We have to do all foods, including meat and fish.

I bought a metal composter with two filters but already I have grown to hate
it! When you lift the lid, the top part comes off in your hand and the
bottom part with the second filter stays in the container. Also it holds a
gallon, which seems like a lot but we easily filled it in a day when Angela
found an ancient bag of Indian Corn (like candy corn but chocolate) and had
to dump that in.

"Tiger Lily" > wrote in message
...
> Alice Faber wrote:
>> In article >,
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote:
>>
>>> So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been
>>> putting spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes putting
>>> food down the garbage disposal (but not very often because plumbers told
>>> me not to), and mainly throwing the food away. We just threw out a LOT
>>> of it! It was either stuff I bought for my husband that he didn't eat
>>> (and we can't or won't) or special stuff that I mail ordered for Angela
>>> that went past its expiration date.
>>>
>>> Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well.
>>> When they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to have a
>>> kitchen composter to put it in which needs to be emptied daily. Says to
>>> put baking soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in the lid for fruit
>>> flies.
>>>
>>> I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the corner
>>> sells them.
>>>
>>> Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems like
>>> they would be.
>>
>> I have my own compost bin outside and a pail that I keep under my sink
>> for vegetable waste. I bought the pail from Gardeners.com. It has a
>> charcoal filter in the lid for odors that I replace periodically. Even
>> though I don't get it outside every day, I've never had fruit flies
>> inside and almost never notice them outside.
>>
>
> ditto
>
> coffee grounds (with the paper filter)
> tea leaves
> egg shells
> also go well into compost material
>
> do NOT put potato peels in the compost, as they will grow!! LOL

We have to put potato peels in there. All food. We are not actually
composting it. Just putting it in our yard waste to be hauled away. I
would assume that a lot of stuff that goes in yard waste would grow.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
> So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been
> putting spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes putting
> food down the garbage disposal (but not very often because plumbers told
> me not to), and mainly throwing the food away. We just threw out a LOT of
> it! It was either stuff I bought for my husband that he didn't eat (and
> we can't or won't) or special stuff that I mail ordered for Angela that
> went past its expiration date.
>
> Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well. When
> they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to have a
> kitchen composter to put it in which needs to be emptied daily. Says to
> put baking soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in the lid for fruit
> flies.
>
> I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the corner
> sells them.
>
> Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems like
> they would be.
>

I don't have one, but I put most food waste in the freezer, then into the
waste can for pickup the night before garbage collection. I also keep the
garbage can in my garage, then wheel it out to the curb the night before
pickup. I live in East Texas, and the heat here can quickly create a smelly
(and insect-attracting) situation if waste is simply dumped into garbage
cans outdoors.

MaryL

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>> So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been
>> putting spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes putting
>> food down the garbage disposal (but not very often because plumbers told
>> me not to), and mainly throwing the food away. We just threw out a LOT
>> of it! It was either stuff I bought for my husband that he didn't eat
>> (and we can't or won't) or special stuff that I mail ordered for Angela
>> that went past its expiration date.
>>
>> Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well. When
>> they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to have a
>> kitchen composter to put it in which needs to be emptied daily. Says to
>> put baking soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in the lid for fruit
>> flies.
>>
>> I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the corner
>> sells them.
>>
>> Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems like
>> they would be.
>>
>
> I don't have one, but I put most food waste in the freezer, then into the
> waste can for pickup the night before garbage collection. I also keep the
> garbage can in my garage, then wheel it out to the curb the night before
> pickup. I live in East Texas, and the heat here can quickly create a
> smelly (and insect-attracting) situation if waste is simply dumped into
> garbage cans outdoors.

I am starting to worry now.

Some time last year, my daughter came into the house all freaked out because
our garbage was all over. Something got into the cans. Opened both cans
and trash was strewn everywhere. This is why we got the animal proof cans.
Well our yard waste can is not animal proof. *sigh*

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been
>>> putting spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes putting
>>> food down the garbage disposal (but not very often because plumbers told
>>> me not to), and mainly throwing the food away. We just threw out a LOT
>>> of it! It was either stuff I bought for my husband that he didn't eat
>>> (and we can't or won't) or special stuff that I mail ordered for Angela
>>> that went past its expiration date.
>>>
>>> Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well.
>>> When they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to have a
>>> kitchen composter to put it in which needs to be emptied daily. Says to
>>> put baking soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in the lid for fruit
>>> flies.
>>>
>>> I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the corner
>>> sells them.
>>>
>>> Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems like
>>> they would be.
>>>
>>
>> I don't have one, but I put most food waste in the freezer, then into the
>> waste can for pickup the night before garbage collection. I also keep
>> the garbage can in my garage, then wheel it out to the curb the night
>> before pickup. I live in East Texas, and the heat here can quickly
>> create a smelly (and insect-attracting) situation if waste is simply
>> dumped into garbage cans outdoors.
>
> I am starting to worry now.
>
> Some time last year, my daughter came into the house all freaked out
> because our garbage was all over. Something got into the cans. Opened
> both cans and trash was strewn everywhere. This is why we got the animal
> proof cans. Well our yard waste can is not animal proof. *sigh*
>

I'm a bit puzzled...that is, I can't picture how your yard waste can is any
different now than before. Don't you place items from your kitchen
composter into the same container as you previously used? If so, could you
freeze things (as I do) and then put everything (bagged) into the waste can?

I had a problem with dogs getting into my waste can when I lived at my
previous house and couldn't keept it in the garage. I solved that by
putting stakes in the ground on both sides of the garbage can. These were
stakes intended for dog tie-outs. They screwed into the ground and had a
round "connecter" on the top. I used a bungee cord that I crossed over the
garbage can and connected to each of the stakes. Somewhat awkward, but it
solved the problem.

MaryL

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been
>>>> putting spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes
>>>> putting food down the garbage disposal (but not very often because
>>>> plumbers told me not to), and mainly throwing the food away. We just
>>>> threw out a LOT of it! It was either stuff I bought for my husband
>>>> that he didn't eat (and we can't or won't) or special stuff that I mail
>>>> ordered for Angela that went past its expiration date.
>>>>
>>>> Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well.
>>>> When they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to have
>>>> a kitchen composter to put it in which needs to be emptied daily. Says
>>>> to put baking soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in the lid for
>>>> fruit flies.
>>>>
>>>> I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the
>>>> corner sells them.
>>>>
>>>> Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems like
>>>> they would be.
>>>>
>>>
>>> I don't have one, but I put most food waste in the freezer, then into
>>> the waste can for pickup the night before garbage collection. I also
>>> keep the garbage can in my garage, then wheel it out to the curb the
>>> night before pickup. I live in East Texas, and the heat here can
>>> quickly create a smelly (and insect-attracting) situation if waste is
>>> simply dumped into garbage cans outdoors.
>>
>> I am starting to worry now.
>>
>> Some time last year, my daughter came into the house all freaked out
>> because our garbage was all over. Something got into the cans. Opened
>> both cans and trash was strewn everywhere. This is why we got the animal
>> proof cans. Well our yard waste can is not animal proof. *sigh*
>>
>
> I'm a bit puzzled...that is, I can't picture how your yard waste can is
> any different now than before. Don't you place items from your kitchen
> composter into the same container as you previously used? If so, could
> you freeze things (as I do) and then put everything (bagged) into the
> waste can?

I didn't have a kitchen composter before and I only placed yard waste in my
yard waste. I was putting food in the garbage can or down the sink. Mostly
in the garbage can because we have bad plumbing here and countless plumbers
told me it was best not to use the disposal.

However, they changed the way we must dispose of things now. Food must go
in the yard waste in these biobags that are made of corn. It can not go any
place else.
>
> I had a problem with dogs getting into my waste can when I lived at my
> previous house and couldn't keept it in the garage. I solved that by
> putting stakes in the ground on both sides of the garbage can. These were
> stakes intended for dog tie-outs. They screwed into the ground and had a
> round "connecter" on the top. I used a bungee cord that I crossed over
> the garbage can and connected to each of the stakes. Somewhat awkward,
> but it solved the problem.

I can't put food in the garage because of rats. And I can't put stakes in
the ground because I have black top where I keep the cans.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>
>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been
>>>>> putting spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes
>>>>> putting food down the garbage disposal (but not very often because
>>>>> plumbers told me not to), and mainly throwing the food away. We just
>>>>> threw out a LOT of it! It was either stuff I bought for my husband
>>>>> that he didn't eat (and we can't or won't) or special stuff that I
>>>>> mail ordered for Angela that went past its expiration date.
>>>>>
>>>>> Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well.
>>>>> When they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to have
>>>>> a kitchen composter to put it in which needs to be emptied daily.
>>>>> Says to put baking soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in the lid
>>>>> for fruit flies.
>>>>>
>>>>> I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the
>>>>> corner sells them.
>>>>>
>>>>> Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems
>>>>> like they would be.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I don't have one, but I put most food waste in the freezer, then into
>>>> the waste can for pickup the night before garbage collection. I also
>>>> keep the garbage can in my garage, then wheel it out to the curb the
>>>> night before pickup. I live in East Texas, and the heat here can
>>>> quickly create a smelly (and insect-attracting) situation if waste is
>>>> simply dumped into garbage cans outdoors.
>>>
>>> I am starting to worry now.
>>>
>>> Some time last year, my daughter came into the house all freaked out
>>> because our garbage was all over. Something got into the cans. Opened
>>> both cans and trash was strewn everywhere. This is why we got the
>>> animal proof cans. Well our yard waste can is not animal proof. *sigh*
>>>
>>
>> I'm a bit puzzled...that is, I can't picture how your yard waste can is
>> any different now than before. Don't you place items from your kitchen
>> composter into the same container as you previously used? If so, could
>> you freeze things (as I do) and then put everything (bagged) into the
>> waste can?
>
> I didn't have a kitchen composter before and I only placed yard waste in
> my yard waste. I was putting food in the garbage can or down the sink.
> Mostly in the garbage can because we have bad plumbing here and countless
> plumbers told me it was best not to use the disposal.
>
> However, they changed the way we must dispose of things now. Food must go
> in the yard waste in these biobags that are made of corn. It can not go
> any place else.
>>
>> I had a problem with dogs getting into my waste can when I lived at my
>> previous house and couldn't keept it in the garage. I solved that by
>> putting stakes in the ground on both sides of the garbage can. These
>> were stakes intended for dog tie-outs. They screwed into the ground and
>> had a round "connecter" on the top. I used a bungee cord that I crossed
>> over the garbage can and connected to each of the stakes. Somewhat
>> awkward, but it solved the problem.
>
> I can't put food in the garage because of rats. And I can't put stakes in
> the ground because I have black top where I keep the cans.
>

Okay, but what about my suggestion about using the freezer? That may not be
practical for you if you have a lot of food waste and little freezer space,
but it really works well for me. I put food that I am going to throw out in
a bag in the freezer and then put it all out the night before garbage
pickup. That pretty much eliminates odor, and that in turn means that it
does not attract insects and other critters.

MaryL

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>
>>>> "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>> So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been
>>>>>> putting spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes
>>>>>> putting food down the garbage disposal (but not very often because
>>>>>> plumbers told me not to), and mainly throwing the food away. We just
>>>>>> threw out a LOT of it! It was either stuff I bought for my husband
>>>>>> that he didn't eat (and we can't or won't) or special stuff that I
>>>>>> mail ordered for Angela that went past its expiration date.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well.
>>>>>> When they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to
>>>>>> have a kitchen composter to put it in which needs to be emptied
>>>>>> daily. Says to put baking soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in
>>>>>> the lid for fruit flies.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the
>>>>>> corner sells them.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems
>>>>>> like they would be.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't have one, but I put most food waste in the freezer, then into
>>>>> the waste can for pickup the night before garbage collection. I also
>>>>> keep the garbage can in my garage, then wheel it out to the curb the
>>>>> night before pickup. I live in East Texas, and the heat here can
>>>>> quickly create a smelly (and insect-attracting) situation if waste is
>>>>> simply dumped into garbage cans outdoors.
>>>>
>>>> I am starting to worry now.
>>>>
>>>> Some time last year, my daughter came into the house all freaked out
>>>> because our garbage was all over. Something got into the cans. Opened
>>>> both cans and trash was strewn everywhere. This is why we got the
>>>> animal proof cans. Well our yard waste can is not animal proof. *sigh*
>>>>
>>>
>>> I'm a bit puzzled...that is, I can't picture how your yard waste can is
>>> any different now than before. Don't you place items from your kitchen
>>> composter into the same container as you previously used? If so, could
>>> you freeze things (as I do) and then put everything (bagged) into the
>>> waste can?
>>
>> I didn't have a kitchen composter before and I only placed yard waste in
>> my yard waste. I was putting food in the garbage can or down the sink.
>> Mostly in the garbage can because we have bad plumbing here and countless
>> plumbers told me it was best not to use the disposal.
>>
>> However, they changed the way we must dispose of things now. Food must
>> go in the yard waste in these biobags that are made of corn. It can not
>> go any place else.
>>>
>>> I had a problem with dogs getting into my waste can when I lived at my
>>> previous house and couldn't keept it in the garage. I solved that by
>>> putting stakes in the ground on both sides of the garbage can. These
>>> were stakes intended for dog tie-outs. They screwed into the ground and
>>> had a round "connecter" on the top. I used a bungee cord that I crossed
>>> over the garbage can and connected to each of the stakes. Somewhat
>>> awkward, but it solved the problem.
>>
>> I can't put food in the garage because of rats. And I can't put stakes
>> in the ground because I have black top where I keep the cans.
>>
>
> Okay, but what about my suggestion about using the freezer? That may not
> be practical for you if you have a lot of food waste and little freezer
> space, but it really works well for me. I put food that I am going to
> throw out in a bag in the freezer and then put it all out the night before
> garbage pickup. That pretty much eliminates odor, and that in turn means
> that it does not attract insects and other critters.

That's right. We have a lot of food waste and no freezer space at all.

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>
>>>> "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>> So apparently I've not been doing my food waste properly. I've been
>>>>>> putting spoiled produce (sometimes) in my yard waste. Sometimes
>>>>>> putting food down the garbage disposal (but not very often because
>>>>>> plumbers told me not to), and mainly throwing the food away. We just
>>>>>> threw out a LOT of it! It was either stuff I bought for my husband
>>>>>> that he didn't eat (and we can't or won't) or special stuff that I
>>>>>> mail ordered for Angela that went past its expiration date.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Seems I am supposed to put this stuff in my yard waste can as well.
>>>>>> When they made this change, I don't know. Seems I am supposed to
>>>>>> have a kitchen composter to put it in which needs to be emptied
>>>>>> daily. Says to put baking soda in the bottom for odors and vinegar in
>>>>>> the lid for fruit flies.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I know where to get one. The new Bartells (drugstore) around the
>>>>>> corner sells them.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Does anyone here have one? Are fruit flies a real problem? Seems
>>>>>> like they would be.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't have one, but I put most food waste in the freezer, then into
>>>>> the waste can for pickup the night before garbage collection. I also
>>>>> keep the garbage can in my garage, then wheel it out to the curb the
>>>>> night before pickup. I live in East Texas, and the heat here can
>>>>> quickly create a smelly (and insect-attracting) situation if waste is
>>>>> simply dumped into garbage cans outdoors.
>>>>
>>>> I am starting to worry now.
>>>>
>>>> Some time last year, my daughter came into the house all freaked out
>>>> because our garbage was all over. Something got into the cans. Opened
>>>> both cans and trash was strewn everywhere. This is why we got the
>>>> animal proof cans. Well our yard waste can is not animal proof. *sigh*
>>>>
>>>
>>> I'm a bit puzzled...that is, I can't picture how your yard waste can is
>>> any different now than before. Don't you place items from your kitchen
>>> composter into the same container as you previously used? If so, could
>>> you freeze things (as I do) and then put everything (bagged) into the
>>> waste can?
>>
>> I didn't have a kitchen composter before and I only placed yard waste in
>> my yard waste. I was putting food in the garbage can or down the sink.
>> Mostly in the garbage can because we have bad plumbing here and countless
>> plumbers told me it was best not to use the disposal.
>>
>> However, they changed the way we must dispose of things now. Food must
>> go in the yard waste in these biobags that are made of corn. It can not
>> go any place else.
>>>
>>> I had a problem with dogs getting into my waste can when I lived at my
>>> previous house and couldn't keept it in the garage. I solved that by
>>> putting stakes in the ground on both sides of the garbage can. These
>>> were stakes intended for dog tie-outs. They screwed into the ground and
>>> had a round "connecter" on the top. I used a bungee cord that I crossed
>>> over the garbage can and connected to each of the stakes. Somewhat
>>> awkward, but it solved the problem.
>>
>> I can't put food in the garage because of rats. And I can't put stakes
>> in the ground because I have black top where I keep the cans.
>>
>
> Okay, but what about my suggestion about using the freezer? That may not
> be practical for you if you have a lot of food waste and little freezer
> space, but it really works well for me. I put food that I am going to
> throw out in a bag in the freezer and then put it all out the night before
> garbage pickup. That pretty much eliminates odor, and that in turn means
> that it does not attract insects and other critters.
>
> MaryL
>
>
I do that especially with fish and chicken...this desert heat can do a
stinky job on chicken...WHEW!

"Alan S" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 3 Sep 2009 08:10:55 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> > wrote:
>
>>That's right. We have a lot of food waste and no freezer space at all.
>
> Buy a bigger freezer. Or an old cheap fridge with a large freezer
> section.
>
And I would put it...where? I have a very small house and no extra
electrical plugs.

> I have an old fridge in the office that I use for soft drinks and
> beer. It also has a basic freezer section. Not good enough for storage
> of food I will eat, but eminently suitable for all animal scraps that
> are destined for the weekly rubbish collection. To minimise attracting
> vermin to the bin we wrap animal scraps in plastic and store them in
> that freezer until collection day.

Well, you have an office. I don't.
>
> My vege scraps go in the backyard compost heap.
>
I don't have one of those. Don't want one and have no place to put one.

Julie Bove wrote:
> "Alan S" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Thu, 3 Sep 2009 08:10:55 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> That's right. We have a lot of food waste and no freezer space at
>>> all.
>>
>> Buy a bigger freezer. Or an old cheap fridge with a large freezer
>> section.
>>
> And I would put it...where? I have a very small house and no extra
> electrical plugs.
>
>> I have an old fridge in the office that I use for soft drinks and
>> beer. It also has a basic freezer section. Not good enough for
>> storage of food I will eat, but eminently suitable for all animal
>> scraps that are destined for the weekly rubbish collection. To
>> minimise attracting vermin to the bin we wrap animal scraps in
>> plastic and store them in that freezer until collection day.
>
> Well, you have an office. I don't.
>>
>> My vege scraps go in the backyard compost heap.
>>
> I don't have one of those. Don't want one and have no place to put
> one.

I must ask, why do you have so much rubbish for just two of you? I have such
little waste my bin only needs to be emptied every 2nd or 3rd week. That's
me and two teenagers. My recycle bin which is only a fortnightly pickup is
full in a week (plastics, cardboard, paper etc). We don't have a yard bin
where I live now. If we have prawns I put the shells and heads in a small
bag in the freezer. At my old house I had a chest freezer too but that was
out in the garage because of no inside room. I did the same when I lived in
a box of a house, couldn't swing a dead cat there.

"Ozgirl" > wrote in message
...

> I must ask, why do you have so much rubbish for just two of you? I have
> such little waste my bin only needs to be emptied every 2nd or 3rd week.
> That's me and two teenagers. My recycle bin which is only a fortnightly
> pickup is full in a week (plastics, cardboard, paper etc). We don't have a
> yard bin where I live now. If we have prawns I put the shells and heads in
> a small bag in the freezer. At my old house I had a chest freezer too but
> that was out in the garage because of no inside room. I did the same when
> I lived in a box of a house, couldn't swing a dead cat there.

I've always frozen my poultry scraps, fish scraps etc., and put them out on
trash day. I have very little actual garbage, but I do have a lot of
recycle. We are on a three barrel thing here. One small barrel for trash, as
many recycle barrels as we need (they're large) I have one, and as many yard
waste barrels as we need. I have two of those. They are dumped weekly, and
the stuff in the freezer doesn't take up much space at all.

Cheri

"Ozgirl" > wrote in message
...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>> "Alan S" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Thu, 3 Sep 2009 08:10:55 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>> That's right. We have a lot of food waste and no freezer space at
>>>> all.
>>>
>>> Buy a bigger freezer. Or an old cheap fridge with a large freezer
>>> section.
>>>
>> And I would put it...where? I have a very small house and no extra
>> electrical plugs.
>>
>>> I have an old fridge in the office that I use for soft drinks and
>>> beer. It also has a basic freezer section. Not good enough for
>>> storage of food I will eat, but eminently suitable for all animal
>>> scraps that are destined for the weekly rubbish collection. To
>>> minimise attracting vermin to the bin we wrap animal scraps in
>>> plastic and store them in that freezer until collection day.
>>
>> Well, you have an office. I don't.
>>>
>>> My vege scraps go in the backyard compost heap.
>>>
>> I don't have one of those. Don't want one and have no place to put
>> one.
>
> I must ask, why do you have so much rubbish for just two of you? I have
> such little waste my bin only needs to be emptied every 2nd or 3rd week.
> That's me and two teenagers. My recycle bin which is only a fortnightly
> pickup is full in a week (plastics, cardboard, paper etc). We don't have a
> yard bin where I live now. If we have prawns I put the shells and heads in
> a small bag in the freezer. At my old house I had a chest freezer too but
> that was out in the garage because of no inside room. I did the same when
> I lived in a box of a house, couldn't swing a dead cat there.

Well, I bought some food for my husband and he never ate it. That was the
first wave. Then we went through Angela's special food which is gluten and
allergen free and mostly has to be mail ordered. Because of this, I order
in bulk. A lot of it went uneaten, became stale and had to be thrown away.

Then there was the candy. Seriously, the kid had a 30 gallon garbage bag
full of the stuff. Some was in her Christmas stocking, some was in her
Easter basket. Some was from Valentine's day. Some was chocolate that she
said she wanted that I had mail ordered (soy and dairy free), but she never
ate. A lot of it came from grandma and grandpa, birthday parties, etc. She
never ate the stuff. I have gotten to the point where I have told people
they are not to buy any candy for her ever unless it is something she is
going to eat right then and there. She is not allowed to bring any candy
home!

After we got rid of that stuff, we are down to the day to day stuff. Last
night I threw out the buns I bought for sandwiches. I never know if I may
or may not eat a sandwich. I usually don't. I didn't eat any of those.
The whole package was thrown out. Then I made potatoes for dinner. The
peels alone on top of those buns was almost enough to fill the one gallon
bin. There were also the peels from the onion I used in the hamburger
gravy. Then there was the leftover gravy. I don't know what to do with
that. I asked Angela if she would eat it with rice for lunch and she said
she would not. I didn't want to throw it out (mainly because now it's a
pain to do so) so I put it in a bag in the refrigerator. It will probably
eventually be thrown out.

Tonight I made pasta with red sauce. New kind of pasta. Was rice and
millet. Very filling. Angela did not go back for seconds as she usually
does with pasta. So there are two servings left. This was put in the
refrigerator and may or may not get eaten. We are going out to eat tomorrow
night. My husband comes home the night after. I don't know what I will fix
then. The 2 servings of pasta will not be enough for the three of us and I
doubt anyone will want the hamburger gravy.

But probably most of what I throw out on a regular basis is produce. I try
to buy things at Costco because it is cheaper and you have to buy in bulk.
I have stopped buying some things there that we just can't possibly eat
enough of or that go bad too quickly, like baby carrots. Some of it just
spoils before we can eat it.

We also have a lot of apples and pears from our trees that nobody ever eats.
Those go straight in the bin.

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
> "Ozgirl" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> I must ask, why do you have so much rubbish for just two of you? I have
>> such little waste my bin only needs to be emptied every 2nd or 3rd week.
>> That's me and two teenagers. My recycle bin which is only a fortnightly
>> pickup is full in a week (plastics, cardboard, paper etc). We don't have
>> a yard bin where I live now. If we have prawns I put the shells and heads
>> in a small bag in the freezer. At my old house I had a chest freezer too
>> but that was out in the garage because of no inside room. I did the same
>> when I lived in a box of a house, couldn't swing a dead cat there.
>
> I've always frozen my poultry scraps, fish scraps etc., and put them out
> on trash day. I have very little actual garbage, but I do have a lot of
> recycle. We are on a three barrel thing here. One small barrel for trash,
> as many recycle barrels as we need (they're large) I have one, and as many
> yard waste barrels as we need. I have two of those. They are dumped
> weekly, and the stuff in the freezer doesn't take up much space at all.

Here's one thing I don't get.

What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on trash day?
Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is in your freezer,
but when you put the can out at the street, the animals can still get in.
Right?

We are allowed only one recycle and one yard waste can. We can put out more
recycle if we have it (and we certainly will this coming week) and up to two
garbage cans. We have put out three garbage cans the past two weeks. They
didn't say anything, but we will probably be billed extra. And that's fine
with me. But if we continue to put out three cans, I'm sure they will say
something. I suspect after my husband has been gone for a while and we get
into a routine, we will have only one can of garbage. There is very little
now we can put as garbage. The problem is, we had so much food to be thrown
out from the week before that couldn't be put out. We saved it for this
week. And then found out we weren't supposed to have thrown it out. But I
wasn't about to go through the can and sort it, especially since I had
already sorted it once. Angela threw out some of her socks and a blue ice.

Julie Bove wrote:
> "Cheri" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "Ozgirl" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>> I must ask, why do you have so much rubbish for just two of you? I
>>> have such little waste my bin only needs to be emptied every 2nd or
>>> 3rd week. That's me and two teenagers. My recycle bin which is only
>>> a fortnightly pickup is full in a week (plastics, cardboard, paper
>>> etc). We don't have a yard bin where I live now. If we have prawns
>>> I put the shells and heads in a small bag in the freezer. At my old
>>> house I had a chest freezer too but that was out in the garage
>>> because of no inside room. I did the same when I lived in a box of
>>> a house, couldn't swing a dead cat there.
>>
>> I've always frozen my poultry scraps, fish scraps etc., and put them
>> out on trash day. I have very little actual garbage, but I do have a
>> lot of recycle. We are on a three barrel thing here. One small
>> barrel for trash, as many recycle barrels as we need (they're large)
>> I have one, and as many yard waste barrels as we need. I have two of
>> those. They are dumped weekly, and the stuff in the freezer doesn't
>> take up much space at all.
>
> Here's one thing I don't get.
>
> What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on trash
> day? Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is in your
> freezer, but when you put the can out at the street, the animals can
> still get in. Right?

Well, if you put stinky stuff in the bin straight away you could have an
animal problem 7 nights a week. Although I had my bins behind the side gate
at the old house. The slope of my land at this house is such that I have the
bins outside my garage doors. Not only that it is really hard to take,
opening a bin in high summer that has had prawn heads in it for a week

"Ozgirl" > wrote in message
...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>> "Cheri" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> "Ozgirl" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>
>>>> I must ask, why do you have so much rubbish for just two of you? I
>>>> have such little waste my bin only needs to be emptied every 2nd or
>>>> 3rd week. That's me and two teenagers. My recycle bin which is only
>>>> a fortnightly pickup is full in a week (plastics, cardboard, paper
>>>> etc). We don't have a yard bin where I live now. If we have prawns
>>>> I put the shells and heads in a small bag in the freezer. At my old
>>>> house I had a chest freezer too but that was out in the garage
>>>> because of no inside room. I did the same when I lived in a box of
>>>> a house, couldn't swing a dead cat there.
>>>
>>> I've always frozen my poultry scraps, fish scraps etc., and put them
>>> out on trash day. I have very little actual garbage, but I do have a
>>> lot of recycle. We are on a three barrel thing here. One small
>>> barrel for trash, as many recycle barrels as we need (they're large)
>>> I have one, and as many yard waste barrels as we need. I have two of
>>> those. They are dumped weekly, and the stuff in the freezer doesn't
>>> take up much space at all.
>>
>> Here's one thing I don't get.
>>
>> What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on trash
>> day? Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is in your
>> freezer, but when you put the can out at the street, the animals can
>> still get in. Right?
>
> Well, if you put stinky stuff in the bin straight away you could have an
> animal problem 7 nights a week. Although I had my bins behind the side
> gate at the old house. The slope of my land at this house is such that I
> have the bins outside my garage doors. Not only that it is really hard to
> take, opening a bin in high summer that has had prawn heads in it for a
> week

Ours our outside the garage, but we were told to keep them away from the
house after we had the rat.

"Ozgirl" > wrote in message
...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>> "Cheri" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> "Ozgirl" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>
>>>> I must ask, why do you have so much rubbish for just two of you? I
>>>> have such little waste my bin only needs to be emptied every 2nd or
>>>> 3rd week. That's me and two teenagers. My recycle bin which is only
>>>> a fortnightly pickup is full in a week (plastics, cardboard, paper
>>>> etc). We don't have a yard bin where I live now. If we have prawns
>>>> I put the shells and heads in a small bag in the freezer. At my old
>>>> house I had a chest freezer too but that was out in the garage
>>>> because of no inside room. I did the same when I lived in a box of
>>>> a house, couldn't swing a dead cat there.
>>>
>>> I've always frozen my poultry scraps, fish scraps etc., and put them
>>> out on trash day. I have very little actual garbage, but I do have a
>>> lot of recycle. We are on a three barrel thing here. One small
>>> barrel for trash, as many recycle barrels as we need (they're large)
>>> I have one, and as many yard waste barrels as we need. I have two of
>>> those. They are dumped weekly, and the stuff in the freezer doesn't
>>> take up much space at all.
>>
>> Here's one thing I don't get.
>>
>> What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on trash
>> day? Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is in your
>> freezer, but when you put the can out at the street, the animals can
>> still get in. Right?
>
> Well, if you put stinky stuff in the bin straight away you could have an
> animal problem 7 nights a week. Although I had my bins behind the side
> gate at the old house. The slope of my land at this house is such that I
> have the bins outside my garage doors. Not only that it is really hard to
> take, opening a bin in high summer that has had prawn heads in it for a
> week
>
>
>
>
I couldn't sit on my back porch if we didn't freeze the smelly stuff. It's
bad enough we have to fight the flies from the horses next door

Julie Bove wrote:
> "Ozgirl" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Julie Bove wrote:
>>> "Cheri" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> "Ozgirl" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>
>>>>> I must ask, why do you have so much rubbish for just two of you? I
>>>>> have such little waste my bin only needs to be emptied every 2nd
>>>>> or 3rd week. That's me and two teenagers. My recycle bin which is
>>>>> only a fortnightly pickup is full in a week (plastics, cardboard,
>>>>> paper etc). We don't have a yard bin where I live now. If we have
>>>>> prawns I put the shells and heads in a small bag in the freezer.
>>>>> At my old house I had a chest freezer too but that was out in the
>>>>> garage because of no inside room. I did the same when I lived in
>>>>> a box of a house, couldn't swing a dead cat there.
>>>>
>>>> I've always frozen my poultry scraps, fish scraps etc., and put
>>>> them out on trash day. I have very little actual garbage, but I do
>>>> have a lot of recycle. We are on a three barrel thing here. One
>>>> small barrel for trash, as many recycle barrels as we need
>>>> (they're large) I have one, and as many yard waste barrels as we
>>>> need. I have two of those. They are dumped weekly, and the stuff
>>>> in the freezer doesn't take up much space at all.
>>>
>>> Here's one thing I don't get.
>>>
>>> What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on
>>> trash day? Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is
>>> in your freezer, but when you put the can out at the street, the
>>> animals can still get in. Right?
>>
>> Well, if you put stinky stuff in the bin straight away you could
>> have an animal problem 7 nights a week. Although I had my bins
>> behind the side gate at the old house. The slope of my land at this
>> house is such that I have the bins outside my garage doors. Not
>> only that it is really hard to take, opening a bin in high summer
>> that has had prawn heads in it for a week
>
> Ours our outside the garage, but we were told to keep them away from
> the house after we had the rat.

If you live near bushland or livestock it won't matter where you put your
bin.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Here's one thing I don't get.
>
> What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on trash day?
> Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is in your freezer,
> but when you put the can out at the street, the animals can still get in.
> Right?
>
> >
>

It takes awhile for frozen food to defrost and even longer for it to develop
an odor. Thus, it isn't as likely to attract dogs, raccoons, etc. If you
were concerned about it, you could put it out in the morning instead of the
night before.

Couldn't at least some of your food be put down your garbage disposal. You
said something about that being a problem, but some items are very *easy* on
a disposal--gravy, sauces, very soft foods, etc.

MaryL

"Ozgirl" > wrote in message
...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>> "Ozgirl" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Julie Bove wrote:
>>>> "Cheri" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> "Ozgirl" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>
>>>>>> I must ask, why do you have so much rubbish for just two of you? I
>>>>>> have such little waste my bin only needs to be emptied every 2nd
>>>>>> or 3rd week. That's me and two teenagers. My recycle bin which is
>>>>>> only a fortnightly pickup is full in a week (plastics, cardboard,
>>>>>> paper etc). We don't have a yard bin where I live now. If we have
>>>>>> prawns I put the shells and heads in a small bag in the freezer.
>>>>>> At my old house I had a chest freezer too but that was out in the
>>>>>> garage because of no inside room. I did the same when I lived in
>>>>>> a box of a house, couldn't swing a dead cat there.
>>>>>
>>>>> I've always frozen my poultry scraps, fish scraps etc., and put
>>>>> them out on trash day. I have very little actual garbage, but I do
>>>>> have a lot of recycle. We are on a three barrel thing here. One
>>>>> small barrel for trash, as many recycle barrels as we need
>>>>> (they're large) I have one, and as many yard waste barrels as we
>>>>> need. I have two of those. They are dumped weekly, and the stuff
>>>>> in the freezer doesn't take up much space at all.
>>>>
>>>> Here's one thing I don't get.
>>>>
>>>> What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on
>>>> trash day? Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is
>>>> in your freezer, but when you put the can out at the street, the
>>>> animals can still get in. Right?
>>>
>>> Well, if you put stinky stuff in the bin straight away you could
>>> have an animal problem 7 nights a week. Although I had my bins
>>> behind the side gate at the old house. The slope of my land at this
>>> house is such that I have the bins outside my garage doors. Not
>>> only that it is really hard to take, opening a bin in high summer
>>> that has had prawn heads in it for a week
>>
>> Ours our outside the garage, but we were told to keep them away from
>> the house after we had the rat.
>
> If you live near bushland or livestock it won't matter where you put your
> bin.

Not any more. The only farm that's around here is up for sale. They tore
all the others down. We just have racoons, a possum, rats, mice and loose
dogs. Also reports of coyotes somewhere near.

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> Here's one thing I don't get.
>>
>> What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on trash
>> day? Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is in your
>> freezer, but when you put the can out at the street, the animals can
>> still get in. Right?
>>
>> >
>>
>
> It takes awhile for frozen food to defrost and even longer for it to
> develop an odor. Thus, it isn't as likely to attract dogs, raccoons, etc.
> If you were concerned about it, you could put it out in the morning
> instead of the night before.
>
> Couldn't at least some of your food be put down your garbage disposal.
> You said something about that being a problem, but some items are very
> *easy* on a disposal--gravy, sauces, very soft foods, etc.

They are telling us that putting food down the disposal creates pollution
and we are supposed to limit what we put down.

Plus, I have had to call a plumber repeatedly for a backed up sink. Even
though I have a new disposal, I was told not to use it because the sink just
isn't plumbed right.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...

> Here's one thing I don't get.
>
> What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on trash day?
> Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is in your freezer,
> but when you put the can out at the street, the animals can still get in.
> Right?

I put it in the freezer so it doesn't stink up the neighborhood on hot days
by sitting in the trash for several days, and no...I put the trash out on
the morning of pick up, no animals foraging at that time that I know of.

Cheri

Cheri wrote:
> "Ozgirl" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> I must ask, why do you have so much rubbish for just two of you? I
>> have such little waste my bin only needs to be emptied every 2nd or
>> 3rd week. That's me and two teenagers. My recycle bin which is only a
>> fortnightly pickup is full in a week (plastics, cardboard, paper etc).
>> We don't have a yard bin where I live now. If we have prawns I put the
>> shells and heads in a small bag in the freezer. At my old house I had
>> a chest freezer too but that was out in the garage because of no
>> inside room. I did the same when I lived in a box of a house, couldn't
>> swing a dead cat there.
>
> I've always frozen my poultry scraps, fish scraps etc., and put them out
> on trash day. I have very little actual garbage, but I do have a lot of
> recycle. We are on a three barrel thing here. One small barrel for
> trash, as many recycle barrels as we need (they're large) I have one,
> and as many yard waste barrels as we need. I have two of those. They are
> dumped weekly, and the stuff in the freezer doesn't take up much space
> at all.
>
> Cheri

9 months of the year, it's cold enough for us to just tip the scraps
into a barrel lined with a bag, and the scraps freeze on their own


ok, maybe not 9 months of the year............

Julie Bove wrote:
> We also have a lot of apples and pears from our trees that nobody ever eats.
> Those go straight in the bin.


the food bank sure would have loved that fresh fruit......... they
probably would have come over and picked it for you too

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> Here's one thing I don't get.
>>
>> What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on trash
>> day? Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is in your
>> freezer, but when you put the can out at the street, the animals can
>> still get in. Right?
>
> I put it in the freezer so it doesn't stink up the neighborhood on hot
> days by sitting in the trash for several days, and no...I put the trash
> out on the morning of pick up, no animals foraging at that time that I
> know of.

I do not always get up early enough to be able to put it out in the morning.
They never seem to come at a set time. I always put it out the night
before.

"Tiger Lily" > wrote in message
...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>> We also have a lot of apples and pears from our trees that nobody ever
>> eats. Those go straight in the bin.
>
>
> the food bank sure would have loved that fresh fruit......... they
> probably would have come over and picked it for you too

The food bank here doesn't take fresh food. Only non perishables. Also,
our trees seem to be diseased and the fruit doesn't look very good.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Cheri" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>> Here's one thing I don't get.
>>>
>>> What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on trash
>>> day? Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is in your
>>> freezer, but when you put the can out at the street, the animals can
>>> still get in. Right?
>>
>> I put it in the freezer so it doesn't stink up the neighborhood on hot
>> days by sitting in the trash for several days, and no...I put the trash
>> out on the morning of pick up, no animals foraging at that time that I
>> know of.
>
> I do not always get up early enough to be able to put it out in the
> morning. They never seem to come at a set time. I always put it out the
> night before.
>
>

That's what I often do. Freezing first is still very helpful. It takes
quite awhile (even in East Texas heat) for everything to thaw, develop an
odor, and start to attract vermin.

MaryL

Julie Bove wrote:
> "Tiger Lily" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Julie Bove wrote:
>>> We also have a lot of apples and pears from our trees that nobody
>>> ever eats. Those go straight in the bin.
>>
>>
>> the food bank sure would have loved that fresh fruit......... they
>> probably would have come over and picked it for you too
>
> The food bank here doesn't take fresh food. Only non perishables. Also,
> our trees seem to be diseased and the fruit doesn't look very
> good.

Isn't that the sort of stuff that would go in the yard bin?

"Ozgirl" > wrote in message
...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>> "Tiger Lily" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Julie Bove wrote:
>>>> We also have a lot of apples and pears from our trees that nobody
>>>> ever eats. Those go straight in the bin.
>>>
>>>
>>> the food bank sure would have loved that fresh fruit......... they
>>> probably would have come over and picked it for you too
>>
>> The food bank here doesn't take fresh food. Only non perishables. Also,
>> our trees seem to be diseased and the fruit doesn't look very
>> good.
>
> Isn't that the sort of stuff that would go in the yard bin?

Yes.

MaryL, I do something my grandma did that some find disgusting. I keep a
big pan and cook potato peelings, veggies and such. Then put them out in a
dish for the strays, They love them and I get rid of garbage, having no
disposal and a lot of coons in the area.
"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> Here's one thing I don't get.
>>
>> What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on trash
>> day? Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is in your
>> freezer, but when you put the can out at the street, the animals can
>> still get in. Right?
>>
>> >
>>
>
> It takes awhile for frozen food to defrost and even longer for it to
> develop an odor. Thus, it isn't as likely to attract dogs, raccoons, etc.
> If you were concerned about it, you could put it out in the morning
> instead of the night before.
>
> Couldn't at least some of your food be put down your garbage disposal.
> You said something about that being a problem, but some items are very
> *easy* on a disposal--gravy, sauces, very soft foods, etc.
>
> MaryL
>

The thing about feeding the wild, is their predators may show up too. We
have a waterfall pond that the wild come and drink...mostly birds but
sometimes coyotes and javelina....and the cattle grazing on the state land
next to us if someone forgets to close the gate I have seen our local
hawk from time to time eat a bird under the trees...usually a quail or dove
.. We don't feed though. There are enough bunnies out there for the coyote
and hawks and owls
People in our foothills used to leave food out for the coyote... then the
Black Bear and the Mountain Lions started showing up. They will usually move
the Bear and Lion..but if they come back to the same area they will be shot.


"Granby" > wrote in message
...
> MaryL, I do something my grandma did that some find disgusting. I keep a
> big pan and cook potato peelings, veggies and such. Then put them out in
> a dish for the strays, They love them and I get rid of garbage, having no
> disposal and a lot of coons in the area.
> "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>>
>>> Here's one thing I don't get.
>>>
>>> What good does it do to freeze something and then put it out on trash
>>> day? Yeah, it is safe from the animals on the days when it is in your
>>> freezer, but when you put the can out at the street, the animals can
>>> still get in. Right?
>>>
>>> >
>>>
>>
>> It takes awhile for frozen food to defrost and even longer for it to
>> develop an odor. Thus, it isn't as likely to attract dogs, raccoons,
>> etc. If you were concerned about it, you could put it out in the morning
>> instead of the night before.
>>
>> Couldn't at least some of your food be put down your garbage disposal.
>> You said something about that being a problem, but some items are very
>> *easy* on a disposal--gravy, sauces, very soft foods, etc.
>>
>> MaryL
>>
>
>
>

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Ozgirl" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Julie Bove wrote:
>>> "Alan S" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> On Thu, 3 Sep 2009 08:10:55 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>>>> > wrote:
[snip]
>
> After we got rid of that stuff, we are down to the day to day stuff. Last
> night I threw out the buns I bought for sandwiches. I never know if I may
> or may not eat a sandwich. I usually don't. I didn't eat any of those.
> The whole package was thrown out. Then I made potatoes for dinner. The
> peels alone on top of those buns was almost enough to fill the one gallon
> bin. There were also the peels from the onion I used in the hamburger
> gravy. Then there was the leftover gravy. I don't know what to do with
> that. I asked Angela if she would eat it with rice for lunch and she said
> she would not. I didn't want to throw it out (mainly because now it's a
> pain to do so) so I put it in a bag in the refrigerator. It will probably
> eventually be thrown out.
>
In this area, many of the wild birds will eat leftover bread, especially
if you also put out birdseed for times when there's no leftover bread
or they decide they've had enough. The seem to prefer to start on
the insides of pieces not bigger than they are, and eventually eat the
crusts last. Also, I've found that if you give them birdseed, sunflower
seed without hulls avoids the piles of hulls you can get otherwise.

If you don't want to see the larger black birds (grackles and starlings)
killing the smaller brown birds, limit the amount that is on the ground
at once so the black birds won't think there is enough for the larger
groups they normally travel in.

The birds don't seem to like brown bread or toast very much - not
sure if the color reminds them of dead leaves. Also, they tend to
avoid anything wet or sticky.

I've read that birds generally don't have a good sense of taste, and
therefore tend to eat only a little of anything new to them at first;
they tend to rely on experience to detect anything that causes food
poisoning.

Maybe Angela would like to watch some birds come and eat some
of what she wouldn't eat?

Robert Miles

"Tiger Lily" > wrote in message
...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>> We also have a lot of apples and pears from our trees that nobody ever
>> eats. Those go straight in the bin.
>
>
> the food bank sure would have loved that fresh fruit......... they
> probably would have come over and picked it for you too


I've read that it would be a good idea for them to pick the pears
about two days before they fall off the tree, to avoid the grittiness
that develops during those days. Also, I've seen one local bird
(probably a mockingbird), but only one, that will eat apple cores.

Robert Miles

"Robert Miles" > wrote in message
...
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Ozgirl" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Julie Bove wrote:
>>>> "Alan S" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> On Thu, 3 Sep 2009 08:10:55 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>>>>> > wrote:
> [snip]
>>
>> After we got rid of that stuff, we are down to the day to day stuff.
>> Last night I threw out the buns I bought for sandwiches. I never know if
>> I may or may not eat a sandwich. I usually don't. I didn't eat any of
>> those. The whole package was thrown out. Then I made potatoes for
>> dinner. The peels alone on top of those buns was almost enough to fill
>> the one gallon bin. There were also the peels from the onion I used in
>> the hamburger gravy. Then there was the leftover gravy. I don't know
>> what to do with that. I asked Angela if she would eat it with rice for
>> lunch and she said she would not. I didn't want to throw it out (mainly
>> because now it's a pain to do so) so I put it in a bag in the
>> refrigerator. It will probably eventually be thrown out.
>>
> In this area, many of the wild birds will eat leftover bread, especially
> if you also put out birdseed for times when there's no leftover bread
> or they decide they've had enough. The seem to prefer to start on
> the insides of pieces not bigger than they are, and eventually eat the
> crusts last. Also, I've found that if you give them birdseed, sunflower
> seed without hulls avoids the piles of hulls you can get otherwise.
>
> If you don't want to see the larger black birds (grackles and starlings)
> killing the smaller brown birds, limit the amount that is on the ground
> at once so the black birds won't think there is enough for the larger
> groups they normally travel in.
>
> The birds don't seem to like brown bread or toast very much - not
> sure if the color reminds them of dead leaves. Also, they tend to
> avoid anything wet or sticky.
>
> I've read that birds generally don't have a good sense of taste, and
> therefore tend to eat only a little of anything new to them at first;
> they tend to rely on experience to detect anything that causes food
> poisoning.
>
> Maybe Angela would like to watch some birds come and eat some
> of what she wouldn't eat?

No way could I put out bread with all the rats and mice around here! I had
to take down all of my bird and squirrel feeders.

After having that rat die in the wall last winter, there is no way I'm going
to attract any more. And maybe you should stop replying to posts that are
this old. I found the answer to my question months ago!

"Robert Miles" > wrote in message
...
> "Tiger Lily" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Julie Bove wrote:
>>> We also have a lot of apples and pears from our trees that nobody ever
>>> eats. Those go straight in the bin.
>>
>>
>> the food bank sure would have loved that fresh fruit......... they
>> probably would have come over and picked it for you too
>
>
> I've read that it would be a good idea for them to pick the pears
> about two days before they fall off the tree, to avoid the grittiness
> that develops during those days. Also, I've seen one local bird
> (probably a mockingbird), but only one, that will eat apple cores.

You are supposed to pick them a couple of weeks before you want to eat them.
They ripen off the tree.