Thanks, greeneyes!
We compost weeds and other yard waste, but attracting predators is too risky here. The mastiffs from next door, coyotes and bears were visiting our property daily. I can’t grow or compost in the fenced in area, because our dogs would destroy everything.
We have containers that are waist high on the deck and one in the front yard where we grow all of our vegetables.
Well, the bears will hibernate eventually, I guess, but that still leaves the other critters to deal with.
I always keep that idea about the hot bed in the back of my mind, in case we ever absolutely have to grow stuff in the winter.