I have had a small garden in the backyard for a few years now ... since we moved into the house. Very basic garden --- tomatoes, string beans (which I proudly start from seeds), cucumber, zucchini.

The past 2 years the garden has not done as well as I'd have liked it to. I had an entire zucchini plant that never produced one zucchini this year...It flowered but it was the kind of flowers that don't produce fruit (male?)...

I only got about 3 cucumbers from 2 plants this year. The tomatoes have produced abundantly but could be larger IMO.

So I would like to start experimenting with home composting becuase I've been told that will help.

And I am not looking to buy a tumbler at this time. Money is tight, so I'd like to do what I can for free, and have read that it can be done.

Can anyone give me some pointers/tips for starting a compost pile in the backyard?

I have an 8X8 area of the yard cleared that I'd like to use to expand my garden next season, and rotate my plants (since I always plant in the same area) but could possibly utilize that space now for compost.