This Expert Says Molehill Soil Makes the Best Free Seed-Starting Compost

Simon Akeroyd, a gardening expert and author of the newly published book Way to Grow, recently shared an Instagram video with the most unexpectedly brilliant seed-starting tip I have ever seen: You don’t need to buy bags and bags of expensive compost, just go find a molehill. Say what?!

No, seriously, this isn’t just a ploy to get you to go digging around the dirt so everyone can make fun of you. Those annoying piles of excavated earth that make a lawn look like a mini Mt. Everest? According to Akeroyd, these are actually a treasure trove of perfectly conditioned seed-starting soil.

The Devon-based gardener explained his reasoning (which, if you ask me, really did need some explaining), and it actually made sense. He wrote, "Compost can be expensive if you have to keep buying it. Although I make my own garden compost it can sometimes be a bit too lumpy for fine seed sowing. That's why the spoil from mole hills is ideal. It's usually lovely and friable (crumbly), breaking down to a fine tilth. This is because usually the mole has kindly dug it all up and made it into a lovely, airy and light medium making it perfect for seed sowing. And best of all, the soil from mole hills is free."

The video shows him biking across Devon until he finds what he’s looking for: fresh molehills with a perfectly crumbly texture. He collects some, but he notes you don’t need much, and brings it home. He proceeds to use it for sowing peas, beans, sweet peas, chilis, and peppers.

While it sounds almost too simple to trust, the logic is quite solid. Here’s why molehill soil might just be the gardening hack you didn’t know you needed.

Why Molehill Soil Works So Well

Moles, to their credit, are exceptional soil processors. As they tunnel underground searching for earthworms, they’re constantly excavating and aerating soil from super deep layers. The soil they later push to the surface, annoying as it can be, has some qualities that make it great for seed starting:

It's finely textured: When moles push soil through their tunnels and up to the surface, it breaks down into smaller pieces. You get soil that is fine and naturally crumbly, which is exactly what you want. It creates good contact for seeds and makes it easier for delicate roots to penetrate.

It's well-aerated: Due to the fact that it’s literally been dug up and redistributed, molehill soil is super loose and rich with oxygen. Seeds need these air pockets in order to successfully germinate, as soil that is too compact is one of the main reasons seed starting often fails.

It's from deeper layers: Topsoil can often be weak and heavy with weed seeds, whereas molehill soil comes from super deep down, meaning it’s been less disturbed.

It's free and local: With prices what they are now (seed-starting compost can run up to 15$ for a small bag), most people will take anything for free. Not only that, but you’ll be using soil that is already adapted to your local conditions.

How to Harvest and Use Molehill Soil

If Simon Akeroyd and I have convinced you, here’s a practical approach to molehill hunting:

Finding molehills: Obviously, the first thing you need to do is actually find your molehills. Look in open, grassy areas like parks, fields, or lawns. Fresh molehills are the best since they will still be slightly moist and more workable.

Collecting: You really don’t need much for seed starting, as even one or two buckets of molehill soil can start several seedlings. Use a small shovel or even your hands to scoop the loose soil from the top of the mound, skipping any grass or other debris on the surface.

This mini-trowel from Amazon is great for scooping up molehill soil and has several other uses as well.

Processing (optional): In the video, it appears that Akeroyd uses the molehill soil as is, but you can always sift it through a coarse screen if you want an even finer texture. Though for most seed starting, the naturally crumbly texture is just fine.

If you like the idea, try this Achla Design Compost Sifter Screen from Amazon; it’s easy to use and has handles.

Using for seed starting:

• Toilet paper roll pots: These are great as toilet paper or paper towel rolls cut to size, are biodegradable, and can be planted straight into the ground.
• Plastic containers: You can use recycled yogurt cups, takeout containers, or proper seed trays if you’re feeling fancy. All of these will work with molehill soil just as commercial compost does.
• Direct planting methods: Akeroyd is seen in the video laying actual tomato slices on the soil to germinate the seeds, as well as whole sweet potatoes. It’s a slightly controversial topic in the gardening community as to whether or not it works, but he has a whole TikTok video on the process here.

What to plant: In the video, Akeroyd specifically mentions peas, beans, sweet peas, chilis, peppers, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes, but really, any seeds that you would normally put in seed-starting compost can work with molehill soil as well.

Pro tip: The texture of molehill soil can be especially good for smaller seeds that need more contact with the soil.

The Caveats (Because There Are Always Caveats)

Before you run around your neighborhood, raiding every molehill you see, take a few of these considerations into account:

Weed seeds: While molehill soil has way fewer weed seeds than topsoil, it’s not completely free of them. You may get a few weeds here and there, which is manageable, but still worth knowing.

Fertility: While molehill soil can be great, it’s not going to be as rich in nutrients as the ready-made seed compost that is full of fertilizers. Once your seedlings have established, you’ll still need to transfer them to real garden compost for the later stages.

Consistency varies: Not all molehill soil is created equal, and the soil type can vary heavily depending on the regions where you live. Areas full of clay will have much heavier molehill soil than, say, a sandy area. First, test a small amount to see how it performs before you go all in.

Try It (If You Have Moles)

The beauty of this hack is that there is no risk in testing it out. If you have access to molehills, collect a bit, try starting some seeds in it, and see how it compares to your usual method. Worst-case scenario? You’re out twenty minutes of your life from molehill hunting, and you have to go buy some commercial compost. Best case? You’ve found a free, locally-sourced method of seed-starting that works beautifully and is completely free.

If you’ve been cursing those annoying moles who’ve been tearing up your lawn, hopefully this reframes things slightly. Maybe they’re just helping you in the garden by kindly processing free seed-starting compost and leaving it in convenient piles for you. The least you can do is say thank you and put it to use.