The wire bin idea is a great idea (whatup Pablo!). Now that I have read all these great ideas I plan on running to one of the box stores and get some fencing and wing nuts too. I have two plots that are a long way away from my main bins and have been thinking of making some new bins there. The fence will be the way I go this time to see how it works. As it relates to the four (4) -bin systems you can take a look at the link below, I posted about it when I completed it about a month ago. I use it for storing and curing finished compost. Once cured I use the compost to top-dress all my beds before planting in them. As long as the cost is minimal I am all for doing things the "free" way. In regards to the clay comment, when making the piles moist some water usually gets on the clay and creates a slippery surface. I was stating to be careful in that regard, for our clay can be like ice when wet, as you well know. Not to change focus, but Pablo, have you ever composted any of your rabbit manure? I got two truckloads from a new friend (HA!) that sells champion rabbits. I have two bins full of rabbit manure, leaves, coffee, and other kitchen items and was wondering if you have ever gone that route, seeing as you raise rabbits. There is also a very large pile of rabbit manure and leaves I can use when making the new wire bin. I am sure you have not accumulated truckloads, but was wondering just the same. I know that barn where my new friend keeps his rabbits is strong with urine odor, and the piles are smoking like a choo-choo train when I turn them. Do ya got any skinny on rabbit compost? Now you guys have me excited about wire bins, will this obsession ever end? Oh no, it just keeps getting better Blutranes Here is a link that might be useful: DIY Compost Bins

I picked up some pyrethrum "Robinson Hybrid" (Tanacetum coccineum) - which I think are painted daisies? at a sale table. One got chewed down already. Rabbits to blame?

ikea, plan on a multitude of games to annoy your deer. This is the first year in which I have not lost a single hosta, except a few leaves on the far side of a hosta that were missed by the spray. Here is what I did: 1. Homemade spray: Mix 1 egg, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp ground Cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp Murphy's Oil soap in a blender with 2 cups of water. Place in 2 Gal pressure sprayer and add water until 3/4 full. Apply every 2-3 weeks. 2. Place packets of Green Screen all around your potted plants, including your nursery area. 3. By mid May start planting Gladiola bulbs throughout your garden. The will start blooming by the end of June. Lightly dust each blossom cluster with ground cayenne pepper. Use a small brush, dip it into the Cayenne, tap the brush against the rim of the container. Also treat lillys and other flowers your deer might display a liking for. 4. Install motion activated lights or similar motion activated gadgets. 5. Get a bottle of cuyote urine. Use small plastic containers from old 35mm films, pill bottles, drill or punch several holes through the shell. Place 3 cotton balls inside and use tie-wraps to hang them up on trees and bushes. Squirt one eye dropper full into each capsle. Now sit back and enjoy. I see deer marching around in several of my neighbors yards. For awhile they came around checking, nipping of a few hosta blooms, let them enjoy!!! By the end of August I got lazy and stopped spraying alltogether, even collected the Cuyote pots, when we had a picnic, but no more deer! Manfred

OK, I'm home now. The other rabbit recipe in this cook book looks like a cousin of Arley's. You can't pull it up through Amazon, so here goes (Dear publisher, please forgive me for posting the recipe if I say the book is worth buying if you own a pressure cooker!): Rabbit Braised with Fresh Bacon, Onion and White Wine 1/2 TBSP olive oil 4 oz fresh bacon or blanched salt pork cut into 1/2x1-inch pieces 1 rabbit (about 2.5 lbs) cut into 6 pieces 1 med-sized white onion, halved and sliced 3/4 inch thick 1 carrot, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, or 1/2 tsp dried 1/2 tsp salt (optional) 1/2 cup dry white wine 2 TBSP Dijon mustard 1/4 cup water 2 TBSP chopped fresh plat-leaf parsley, for garnish 1. Heat the oil in the pressure cooker over med-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, 4-5 mins. 2. Add the rabbit pieces ant saute until beginning to turn golden, about 5 mins. 3. Stir in the onion, carrot, thyme, and salt, if using. Add the wine, mustard and water and stir to mix well. Lock the lid and bring to pressure over high heat, about 2 mins. Reduce the heat to med-high and cook for 10 mins. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 mins to finish cooking. 4. With the steam vent pointed away from your face, gently release any remaining pressure. Arrange rabbit, bacon, and vegetables on a serving platter. Taste the sauce, adjust the salt, and pour the sauce over the rabbit and vegetables. Sprinkle the parsley over the top and serve right away. After typing that out, I think I've got no choice but to thaw a bunny and make this for dinner tomorrow night! I'll substitute homemade pancetta or guanciale (haven't decided yet) for the salt pork. Robin, of COURSE I had to post a link to the bunny, parsnip and prune recipe, and yes, it is the one I talked about when I was in Nashville. It's awesome!