I’ve tried the cardboard route too, and yeah, it’s a hassle to get it shredded fine enough. I actually gave up after a while because it just felt like too much work for not enough payoff, especially when sawdust is so much easier to handle. The garden soil tip is interesting though—I’ve only ever used peat moss or coco coir as a mix-in, but those aren’t exactly budget-friendly if you’re using a lot. Does the soil ever cause issues with bugs or anything? I’m always a little wary about bringing in stuff from outside, especially during the warmer months.
Curious if anyone’s experimented with mixing in dried leaves or grass clippings instead? I keep thinking there’s got to be a good free alternative, but haven’t really landed on one that works as well as sawdust.