In the bay area there are many mushroom growers with lots of spent growing media to dispose of at very reasonable prices. Many are equipped to deliver. Check around for the best deal. Al

My experience is with Promix bought in bales, that seems to work fine. What are you trying to grow? Maybe you will want to just buy the components in bulk and mix up your own. You can grow a lot of different kinds of plants in bark mixed with sand, with slow release fertilizer added. Use a higher proportion of sand for those types wanted more drainage or aeration than usual.

What kind of seed got thrown out? A few hundred seeds is really not that much. 10 seeds for $8 is a good way to get seeds for next year. What is your intention ? I have no problem sharing seed its a big part of this hobby. Post what your looking for and im sure something can be done here. You could just buy a few new new strains to share next year and get a pay forward now. Just remember your obligation next season. Im sure we will have lots of newbies in need of the same gesture. I personally did not buy any seed last year and this year only purchased Brown Mougas only because nobody had any to trade.All other peppers came from other members who received seed they desired in exchange. Love it when thing work out . Join the club you can share alot of seed with 100 plants. And save alot of $ helping others it a ++ all around. Got your seed dude just Email me My list is in my profile. I plan on sharing Brown Mougas next year . I would be a rich man if I could get 25 cents a seed. Greed and Gardening really dont go together [ too much stress] God gives us seed Pepper Joe is just a middleman cashing in

You may be surprised at how much "composting" can happen over the winter, especially in an area where you have repeated freeze/thaw cycles. There are organisms -- Psychrophiles or cryophiles - that thrive below 10C. They are busily decomposing the things in the heap. They do not produce a lot of heat in the process, but you might notice that your pile is shrinking.