This New Year, why not set a goal that’s realistic and one that you know you can achieve? So many of us turn to New Year’s Resolutions to transform ourselves saying, ‘I’m going to lose 20 pounds this year’ or ‘I’m going to start a gym membership.’ Well for 2015, forget about that and focus on your backyard, instead (it’s so much more fun too!):

Create soil
If you don’t compost already, 2015 is a great time to start! Composting is the process of recycling organic scraps like fruits and vegetables along with landscape debris in order to create soil rich in nutrients. You can use this soil in your garden and flowerbeds.

Composting saves you money by not having to buy as much soil and it reduces landfill waste because many of the food scraps that you would normally toss are compostable like egg shells, coffee filters and grounds, banana peels and spoiled vegetables. I’ve seen compost bins used in many environments from farms to outside urban homes.

I recently started my own compost bin six months ago and I’ve created a plethora of rich soil. Here’s how I created an inexpensive compost bin:

• Purchase a large black rubber garbage can with a lid.
• Drill holes about 1 inch apart down four sides of the can and across the lid (making a cross shape). The garbage can helps to keep it self contained and nearly odorless.
• Use the process of vermicomposting, or worm composting, which allows you to compost food waste really fast while also producing high quality compost soil.
• Put a layer of shredded newspaper and cardboard down to provide fiber for the worms.
• Sprinkle a layer of dirt and moisten with water
• Wait one day then add your worms! Remember, every time you throw a container full of food scraps into your bin; make sure to stir your soil!
  

  My compost bin after 6 months.

Don’t want the hassle or have the time to build your own bin? Check out Fifthroom’s Renoir’s Red Cedar 3-Compartment Compost Bin.

Fifthroom.com’s Renoir Red Cedar Three Compartment Compost Bin.

Add something different to the landscape
Create a dramatic entrance to your garden this year. Invite the critters, family and guests inside your beautiful garden with Fifthroom.com’s Long and Winding Rose Arbor. The arbor’s durable wrought iron frame will withstand the elements of all the seasons and upkeep is minimal –just a little mild detergent and water to clean it will go a long way. Grow flowers and vines up the arbor to create an even more dramatic setting.

Expand your gardening skills past your backyard
Community gardening is a great way to expand your skills and volunteer your time for a great cause. If you live in the city or the suburbs, there’s a community garden group who may need another set of hands. The American Community Garden Association lists 10 guidelines for launching a successful community garden in your neighborhood here. It’s been proven that neighborhood gardening projects bring communities together. The start of the New Year is a perfect time to make your town or a distressed part of the city a more beautiful place to live.

Log onto Fifthroom.com to view a variety of garden structures to create your new landscape for the New Year! You can also join in on the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google +, Yelp, YouTube, Houzz.com, & Pinterest!