🌿 Can’t manage a backyard compost pile? Don’t worry — you don’t need one. Whether you live in a cozy apartment, a quiet suburb, or a countryside cottage, there’s a composting method that fits your lifestyle — and your space.
In this video, we’ll explore 6 easy, practical, and odor-free composting methods that work no matter where you live. From traditional piles to worm bins under your sink, and even a Japanese technique that lets you compost meat and cheese indoors — this is composting made for real life.
💚 You’ll discover:
✔️ Which composting method is perfect for your mobility and space
✔️ How to compost without a backyard
✔️ A step-by-step guide for seniors, with zero overwhelm
✔️ The surprising health of your soil — and your spirit — when you compost regularly
These solutions are simple enough to start today, no matter your age or experience. And most importantly? They help you give back to the earth while keeping your home and garden beautifully clean.
👉 Hit play, subscribe to EverGreen Seniors, and find the joy of composting — one peel, one plate, one pile at a time.
#Hashtags:
#composting #sustainableliving #gardeningtips #indoorcomposting #vermicomposting #bokashi #seniorgardeners #evergreenseniors #organicgardening #greenthumb
hey there friends welcome back to Evergreen Seniors the place where seasoned hands and curious hearts come together to grow learn and thrive in the garden one tip at a time if you’re someone who feels joy just from the scent of fresh soil who smiles when the first seedling pushes through or who finds peace while pulling weeds with the sun on your back well you’re in the right place whether you’re in your 60s 70s or beyond in a city condo or a countryside cottage this space is made for you today we’re diving into one of my favourite topics composting but don’t worry it’s not going to be complicated or messy I’m going to share 6 different ways you can compost no matter where you live and trust me there’s a method that’ll fit your lifestyle perfectly so pull up a chair maybe pour yourself a cup of something warm and let’s get growing and hey if you love gardening as much as I do then be sure to hit that subscribe button so you never miss a single tip method No. 1 the traditional backyard pile simple reliable and satisfying now if you’re one of the lucky ones with a bit of yard even just a small corner behind the shed or beside the fence you’re already halfway to building your own compost pile this method is as old as gardening itself it doesn’t need fancy gear electricity or anything more than your kitchen’s scraps a few dried leaves and the good old patience of nature think of your pile like you’re making a garden lasagna that’s right one layer of greens like veggie peels coffee grounds and fresh grass clippings then one layer of Browns like dried leaves straw or even shredded newspaper layer by layer just like Nona used to make well maybe a bit earthier every few weeks give it a little stir with a shovel or pitchfork that air flow helps the microbes breathe and break things down faster and if you’re wondering how long it takes depending on the weather and your mix it could be ready in as little as two to three months did you know the USDA found that households who compost this way reduce their landfill waste by up to 30% each year that’s not just good for the garden that’s good for the planet what I love most about this method is how hands on it feels I’ve had neighbors tell me they start their mornings with coffee and a quick visit to their compost pile like greeting an old friend and the first time you dig into it and see that rich dark crumbly compost oh you’ll feel like you struck garden gold if you’re someone who enjoys the rhythm of the seasons doesn’t mind getting a little dirt under your nails and loves to see transformation happen slowly but surely then this method might just be perfect for you but of course not everyone has the luxury of outdoor space so what happens when you’ve got the heart of a gardener but you’re living in a townhome or a place with strict HOA rules well that’s where we’re heading next method No. 2 No. 2 compost tumblers and bins clean convenient and HOA friendly now if you’re living in a suburb or a neighborhood with one of those HOA’s that sees a traditional compost pile as a bit too natural don’t worry there’s a solution that’s just as effective and much more polished let me introduce you to the Compost Tumbler sleek enclosed and simple to use this method is perfect for folks who want the benefits of composting without the mess or smell the tumbler keeps everything tidy it fits neatly against the side of the house or garage and looks more like a clever garden tool than a pile of scraps what’s great is how low effort it really is you just toss your food scraps in close the lid and give it a few turns every day or two the turning motion adds oxygen which jump starts the breakdown process and helps everything decompose much faster in fact according to research from the university of Washington well aerated compost can break down 30 to 50% faster than static piles some models even come with two chambers one for fresh scraps and one for curing compost that way you’re never stuck waiting for one batch to finish before starting the next one viewer from Arizona wrote in to say her tumbler saved her back I can’t do much bending anymore she shared but turning the crank is easy and it’s satisfying watching it cook down week after week so if you’re someone who prefers a neat and odor free approach maybe because of limited mobility sensitive neighbours or just a love for a tidy yard then a compost tumbler or sealed bin might just become your new best friend in the garden next we’ll explore what to do if you don’t have a yard at all yes even apartment dwellers can compost beautifully method number three method No. 3 vermicomposting indoors let the worms do the work so what if you don’t have a backyard at all maybe you’re living in a cozy apartment a retirement community or even an assisted living space with just a small balcony and some potted herbs you might think composting is off the table but I promise you it’s not because guess what worms can compost for you vermicomposting is the wonderful process of using red wigglers worms to break down your kitchen scraps into rich nutrient dense worm castings a kind of black gold for your house plants balcony tomatoes or even your neighbor’s garden bed all you need is a shallow bin you can buy one online or make your own with a plastic tote add some shredded newspaper cardboard or coconut coir for bedding then introduce your starter worms they’re easy to order and ship safely right to your door keep the bin in a cool dark place like under the sink or in a closet and feed your worms a little at a time with soft food scraps here’s the beautiful part a healthy worm bin doesn’t smell in fact it should have the fresh earthy scent of a forest floor after rain researchers at Cornell University even found that vermicompost can increase plant growth by up to 25% compared to traditional compost thanks to the beneficial microbes worms produce many seniors I’ve spoken with say this method becomes more than just composting it turns into a little ritual a reason to check in every morning see how the worms are doing and feel a quiet sense of stewardship there’s something oddly comforting about knowing these tiny creatures are working with you day and night to turn your scraps into something so valuable so if you’re someone who loves indoor gardening appreciates gentle daily routines or simply wants to reduce waste without the hassle of outdoor bins vermicomposting might be your perfect match and the best part it’s a method you can do year round rain or shine snow or heatwave up next we’ll explore a technique from Japan that might surprise you and it’s a game changer for the composting things most people toss out method No. 4 method No. 4 Bokashi composting ferment your scraps the smart way now if you’ve ever heard that you can’t compost meat dairy or oily foods well that’s mostly true with traditional methods but there’s one exception and it’s surprisingly powerful let me introduce you to the bokashi method a composting technique that comes from Japan and has been gaining quiet popularity among urban gardeners and seniors alike why because it lets you compost just about everything meat cheese small bones cooked foods even the leftover casserole you forgot in the back of the fridge here’s how it works you’ll need a bokashi bin which is usually a small airtight container with a spout at the bottom alongside that you’ll use a special brand infused with beneficial microbes these microbes are the secret they kick off a fermentation process that breaks down your food waste in a matter of weeks you simply add your scraps sprinkle on some bran press everything down and seal the lid after the bin is full and sits for 10 to 14 days what you’re left with isn’t finished compost but a fermented pre compost material one that’s ready to be buried in your garden soil or added to a traditional compost pile for final decomposition what makes this method stand out especially for seniors is how compact odorless and efficient it is even better according to research from Kyoto University Bakashi composting can reduce food waste volume by over 40% within just two weeks with minimal methane emissions compared to landfill disposal I’ve heard from folks who live alone and cook in small portions they love bakashi because they don’t need a big pile or constant turning just a steady rhythm of collecting scraps and layering them with bran it becomes a simple habit like rinsing a plate or taking out the recycling and the best part there’s virtually no smell just a slightly sweet fermented scent almost like pickles so if you’re someone who likes to cook hates waste and wants a tidy indoor friendly composting method Bokashi might just win your heart coming up next we’re heading outside again to a method that’s ancient simple and perfect for anyone who loves letting the earth do the work method No. 5 trench or pit composting let the soil do the work now this one this is for those of us who believe in keeping things simple and letting nature take the lead trench composting also known as pit composting is a method as old as gardening itself and it’s as close to hands off magic as you can get you simply dig a hole or shallow trench right where you plan to grow drop in your food scraps then cover it back up with soil that’s it no turning no piles no fuss over time microbes worms and beneficial fungi break everything down below the surface and because the nutrients stay exactly where you buried them you’re feeding the soil right where your future plants will grow talk about efficiency I remember a fellow gardener when 82 years old and still going strong who told me he made this a seasonal tradition every fall he’d dig trenches in his garden rows fill them with dried leaves and kitchen scraps and come spring those same rows would be teeming with life he called it his underground secret science backs this up too studies from Michigan State University show that trench composting can increase soil microbial activity by 35% within just a few months boosting both plant health and yield this method is especially wonderful for folks with raised beds or those who enjoy growing directly in the ground and let’s be honest there’s something deeply satisfying about quietly tucking your scraps into the earth knowing they’ll return as food for the next season’s harvest plus it’s gentle exercise a little digging a little movement a little fresh air many of us still enjoy getting our hands in the soil even if it’s just for a few minutes each day that connection that ritual is part of what keeps us young at heart now if you’re thinking I love the idea but I’m not growing much anymore don’t worry the next method is perfect for you it doesn’t require a garden at all just a community method number 6 community composting give back without the backyard and now let’s talk about something truly special for those of us who may not garden anymore or simply can’t manage bins or worms or trenches like we used to because even if you’ve downsized moved into a senior community or just prefer not to handle compost at home you can still compost and make a meaningful impact more and more towns and neighborhoods across the US now offer community composting programs you’ll find drop off stations at farmers markets food co ops community gardens and sometimes even churches or senior centers some cities now offer curbside compost pickup alongside recycling and trash here’s how it works you collect your food scraps fruit peels eggshells coffee grounds veggie bits in a sealed container then once a week or whenever it’s full you bring it to the designated drop off spot and just like that your waste is transformed into soil enriching compost used by local farmers schools and gardeners it’s a beautiful way to stay connected to your values your community and the earth even if your knees don’t like to bend as much as they used to I remember speaking to a retired school teacher in Florida she told me I had to give up my garden beds after my hip surgery but I couldn’t give up the feeling of giving something back so she started collecting scraps in her condo and even inspired six neighbors to do the same they now have a shared compost drop off box out back she calls it their green corner and it turns out the EPA has noted that community composting efforts can divert up to 50% of household waste from landfills when paired with local participation that’s not just good for your town that’s good for the planet so if you still love the rhythm of sustainability the idea of feeding the soil and being part of something larger than yourself this method is a quiet but powerful way to keep that connection alive up next let’s wrap it all up with some closing thoughts and a little inspiration to send you out into your garden your kitchen or your neighborhood with purpose final thoughts composting wisdom to grow by now before we wrap up let me share just a few gentle reminders to help your composting journey thrive chop your scraps smaller if you want quicker results it’s like giving your microbes a head start always remove anything synthetic like produce stickers or plastic packaging and if you ever notice a little smell of mold don’t worry that’s part of the learning composting is not about being perfect it’s about progress patience and staying curious keep your mix balanced not too wet not too dry and try to turn or aerate it once in a while to keep the oxygen flowing and if it doesn’t go quite right the first time that’s OK compost like gardening and like life is a teacher in disguise I’ll never forget a gardener I met in Oregon she was 78 years old lived in a modest home and had three composting methods going at once a worm bin in her laundry room a bokashi bucket under her sink and a trench outside that fed her garden beds she didn’t call herself an expert she simply said I don’t like to waste and I love to grow and that my friends is what this is all about it’s not about trends it’s about intention choosing to give back to the earth choosing to see possibility in peels power in banana skins and beauty in coffee grounds composting is about turning yesterday’s scraps into tomorrow’s blossoms so wherever you are city suburb or countryside pick the method that fits your life and just start because the soil doesn’t stop growing with age and neither should we if this video gave you ideas or inspiration go ahead and give it a thumbs up and if you’ve got your own composting story I’d love to hear it drop it in the comments below you never know who you might inspire until next time my friends stay rooted stay growing and remember it’s never too late to turn waste into life
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Municipalities also have smart bins for composting. You can compost most anything in them. You enter a code that opens the smart bin, then you just add your food scraps, even meat, etc.