Soil ammendment sources?

[JamieCatheryn]

Can we compile a resource list for things to feed our gardens? Especially for great deals.

I've heard some Starbucks will save used coffee grounds for gardeners to pick up

The zoo here in Louisville carefully composts their herbivores' manure and offers it to the public by the truckload for cheap.

Where and how do you get fishheads? I've heard of burying them below tomatoes.

Not sure if this is on topic but also, how does one use a placenta in the garden? Like many here, I have one in my freezer.

[DashsMama]

A local water quality district near me offers a service to match up rural farmers/ranchers with urban gardeners. The farmers can post what kind of manure they have, whether it is free, whether it is composted, whether they will deliver for a fee, etc. Gardeners can also post what they are looking for, willing to pay, etc.

Some cities offer free mulch/compost from their green waste composting facility. If you load it yourself it is free, or they will deliver a truckload for a reasonable fee. You can expect to get weird things like candy wrappers and rubber gloves in this type of municipal compost though, and you have no control over what chemicals are in it, so I wouldn't use it for vegetable gardens.

Some tree trimmers and utility companies will happily dump truckloads of wood chips at your house free of charge. You usually have to contact them ahead of time to get on their list.

Simple Google searches can usually find out if there is anything like these in your area.

I laughed about the placenta comment. I've got 3 in my fridge still, and since I haven't "planted them yet" I'm thinking I might opt for cremation. Do ashes count as biochar?