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Living eco-friendly has been a huge part of my life for the past few years.
From practicing minimalism to composting in my apartment, I learned that little changes in our daily lives can really make a big difference.
After successfully managing a composting system in my apartment, I was ready for the next challenge—backyard composting!
My good friend Clara (you might remember her from my hydroponics garden post) has a beautiful backyard in New Jersey.
We decided it was time to take composting to the next level together. We’ve always loved trying out new eco-friendly projects at her place.
Here I am sharing with you our backyard composting experience. You’ll see just how easy it is to turn kitchen scraps & yard waste into rich compost that’ll make your garden healthy.
What’s Backyard Composting?
Backyard composting is all about recycling stuff like food scraps, grass clippings, and leaves into nutrient-packed compost.
It’s kinda nature’s way of turning waste into something useful. You can compost in many ways, from big industrial setups to tiny vermicomposting (composting with worms).
But backyard composting is simple & doesn’t need much fuss. It helps cut down on organic waste that goes to landfills—around 30% of what we throw away at home!
Getting Started with Backyard Composting
Setting up Clara’s backyard compost system was a blast! First, we needed to find the right spot & bin. Since her yard is mostly shady, we chose a spot that gets some sun but isn’t too exposed.
Here’s what you need for your own backyard compost:
– Compost Bin: You can either buy a compost bin or make your own. We made a DIY one! We drilled holes in a large plastic bin for air and put it in a corner of the yard.
– Location: The bin should be handy but far enough from the house to avoid any smells or pests.(when done right, compost doesn’t stink)
– Essential Tools: We had a pitchfork for turning the compost and a small shovel for adding stuff. A compost thermometer can help too, but we just checked by feel.
Composting Techniques: Finding What Works for Us
Clara and I used the traditional pile method. It’s easy-peasy and perfect for making compost right at home!
If you don’t have a backyard, then for indoor composting you can use vermicomposting (composting with worms), Tumbler, or Bokashi composting method.
In my apartment, I used the vermicomposting method. Read my detailed Guide for Apartment Composting here.
Each method has its pros and cons, and we’ve had fun trying them all out.
What Can You Compost?
A big question I get is: “What can I toss in there?” Luckily, there’s a lot you can compost! Here’s a quick list:
Green Materials like Fruit & veggie scraps, Coffee grounds & filters (Clara loves her coffee, so we added tons!), Grass clippings, Fresh leaves, Plant trimmings.
Brown Materials like Dried leaves, Shredded newspaper or cardboard, Straw, Sawdust, and Egg cartons.
Read my detailed blog on Everyday Household Items that can be Composted.
Start your pile with a four- to five-inch layer of browns like twigs and wood chips to soak up extra moisture & let air through. Then add your greens & browns together!
Effective composting relies on a balance between Green Materials (Nitrogen-Rich) and Brown Materials (Carbon-Rich).
We aim for a ratio of— 3 parts brown to 1 part green. It’s like magic; get the mix right, and you’ll have gardening gold!
But remember, not everything belongs in your pile. Avoid meat, dairy, fish, oils, or diseased plants since they can invite pests or cause bad smells.
Keeping Your Compost Pile Going
A compost pile isn’t something you can just set and forget But taking care of your pile isn’t too hard. Here’s what we do to keep it thriving:
– Every 1–2 weeks, we turn it with a pitchfork so it gets oxygen—a must for those tiny microorganisms!
– Keep it moist but not soaking wet or dry either! We add water if it’s too dry or more brown stuff if it’s too wet.
– Once, our pile smelled kinda bad because we had too many greens. So we just tossed in more leaves & cardboard.
As everything breaks down, you’ll see the temp go up—at times as hot as 130° to 150° F!
How Do You Know When It’s Ready?
After about 3–6 months (it varies), your compost should be good! It’ll look dark & crumbly with an earthy smell.
We’ve used our homemade compost in Clara’s garden & my balcony vegetable garden—it’s amazing how healthy our plants look now!
You can use that compost in lots of ways:
– Mix it into your garden soil for better structure & nutrients.
– Spread it on top of the soil to save moisture and keep weeds away.
– Add it when planting new seeds or plants.
Also read, how to organize a community composting program in your town.
Why Use Compost in Your Garden?
Since we started backyard composting, Clara’s garden and my balcony veggies have never looked better!
Compost gives vital nutrients & helps soil structure so plants really thrive. Plus, you don’t need as much chemical fertilizer since you’re naturally feeding your plants! It also helps soil hold onto water better.
Backyard composting is an awesome way to cut waste and make your garden richer. Clara and I have loved every step—from setting up the bin to seeing our plants thrive!
If you’ve been thinking about starting this too, now’s the time! So go grab a bin & start tossing in those kitchen scraps and yard waste!
