Which Compost Is Best for You? Easy Gardeners Guide

Which Compost Is Best for You? Let’s Find Out!

Happy Earth Day, garden friend!
Today’s the perfect day to do something good for the planet—and your plants. One of the best ways to care for Mother Earth (and your garden) is by composting. But let’s be real: there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to compost. So the big question is:

Which compost is best for you?

Whether you’ve got a big backyard or just a small balcony, there’s a composting method that fits your life. And the right compost will help your fruit, veggies, and flowers grow like crazy—with less waste, less cost, and more joy.

Why Composting Matters (Especially Today)

I always say: growing your own food is fun—but it’s even more fun when the plants thrive and you get an abundance of produce! Compost feeds your soil, which feeds your plants, which feeds you. Win-win-win.

Plus, composting is one of the simplest things you can do to reduce landfill waste and fight climate change. So if you’re not composting yet—let’s change that today.

How to Choose the Right Composting Method

When you’re deciding what kind of composting is best for you, think about these four things:

Time
Do you want fast results, or are you okay with slow, steady compost?
Organic Waste
Do you have kitchen scraps only, or do you also have garden clippings and leaves?
Space
Big yard? Small patio? Indoor space only?
Gross-out Factor
Be honest—how okay are you with bugs, smells, or worms? (E.g. composting with coffee grinds is not that yucky; and you can always recycle your used coffee filters for some amazing crafts: https://finecraftguild.com/66-coffee-filter-uses-besides-making-coffee/)

Popular Types of Composting (And Who They’re Great For)

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Cold Composting

+ Super low effort
– Takes longer (6–12 months)
–> Best for: Lazy composters or folks with big yards

Hot Composting

+ Fast (4–8 weeks!)
– Needs more turning and balancing
–> Best for: People with lots of garden waste and a bit of time

Vermicomposting (Worm Bins)

+ Great for small spaces
– Worm care required
–> Best for: Apartment dwellers or indoor composting

Bokashi

+ Compact and quick
– Needs special bran/starter
–> Best for: Kitchen scrap-heavy homes

Infographic: What Composting Method Is Right for You?

Thanks to Treehugger, EPA, and Environment.gov for the visual help! The handy – printable – chart below shows you which composting system works best based on how much waste you produce, how much space you have, and your comfort level.

Extra Earth Day Ideas

Want more ways to green your routine?

A Quick Note on Compostable Bags

If you’re collecting kitchen scraps, consider using compostable bags instead of plastic ones. These biodegradable bags are great for tossing your food waste into the compost—or even into the trash more responsibly.

Here’s a good option: Compostable Kitchen Bags on Amazon

They’re plant-based, break down easily, and are just one more way to cut down on plastic. Because the less plastic, the better. We’re on a mission!

Final Thoughts: Your Garden, Your Compost Style

No matter which method you choose, the best compost is the one that fits your lifestyle—and one you’ll actually keep up with. Whether it’s a simple pile in the backyard or a cute worm bin under your sink, composting is a small step with a big impact.

So this Earth Day, let’s dig in.
Happy composting!