Some garden related questions (raised garden beds and compost)
Picture #1: I bought this for my partner for mother's day: https://www.homedepot.com/p/amerlife-8-ft-x-15-ft-x-6-ft-Wooden-Raised-Garden-Bed-with-Netting-for-Gardening-for-Outdoor-Natural-Wood-Finish-P000003311HDGLUS01/338143451?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl&srsltid=AfmBOop_5v_QofZjnndPA0YUrfFMO8rANmuBGMuY5EbKzKlWemzoCP0R7R4
We were trying to find someone to level that entire area (because the grade coming toward the house is causing wet floors in one basement room. I might need to do a french drain system), not just the 8x15 marked area. But we ended up doing this. So when she was doing some repotting and stuff she dumped some water up above the area I was digging. It all flowed into there and the back right corner is pretty soft and muddy. I'm thinking we made a mistake by not just building this thing on the slanted hill. My plan was to cover every piece with linseed oil and let dry before putting it together, but that is a much bigger task than I anticipated. Partly because I don't have anywhere to put dozens of pieces to dry. Now I'm thinking I might give up on that and just put plastic sheeting on the outside where it contacts the ground, and on the inside where soil will be touching the wood most.
So, 1) do I need to put down gravel and tamp it down before setting it up? I though it was good to have the open bottoms to the soil below but I'm worried about this sinking down as water runs downhill; and 2) with water running down hill, is it going to just pool up at the far side? Do I need to do something special to make this last and stay level?
Picture #2: I finally set up a compost area. I made the pen about 6x10 and split in half. not exactly sure why at this point. Thought maybe I could just leave one mostly empty except leaves at the base and then move it back and forth as a way to turn it over.
First question, how do you set up your compost so that it can be turned over, equally combine green and brown, and keep track of how long it's been sitting?
Second, we get bears that get into our garbage, so I figure he's going to get into this too. Do bears typically reek havoc on compost piles or no?
Third, what do you do for collecting compostable items indoors? Ideally we'd just walk everything outside immediately, but during MN fall/winter/spring (sometimes summer) I doubt we'll be on top of this. Also, is it worth investing in an indoor composting system? Any recommendations?
Thanks!