Post #1620621

2026-04-21 10:42 UTC

Look around your area for composting facilities. In the US, they usually give it away for free, especially if you have a required community compost pickup program. There may also have a quarry in the area that will let you grab refuse like shale or slab gravel you could use, but the consistency would be the key there.

Replies (2)

@Kaffeburk@lemmy.world 2026-04-21 17:40

Yea, i get cow manure from my neighbour but i am very paranoid about bringing in slugs, an abundant pest in most of the country but absent here. Which is why I’m so stubborn on making soil from only local ingredients. I have my own gravel pit so thats no issue, and an abundance of trees. Rotted birch has been good but finding and hauling it in any quantity becomes too much work. Yesterday was a very frustrating day as every blend I made just turned to poorly draining muck in my pots. Even though my last mix has been perfect for my seedlings. So posted here to get inspiration for soil additives to help with that. I think i will up the quantity of wood chips and try again. Good advice tho, for those leas scared of slugs!

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@GardenGeek@europe.pub 2026-04-21 11:59

Great advice! At least in Germany you usually also can get compost for free from the local compost facility. In my experience the compost you get there usually a bit wood heavy so adding a bit of nitrogen (in form of horse or chicken manure) further enhances the property.

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