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Fir Mulch/Cedar Mulch and what i learned can anyone help

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Fir Mulch/Cedar Mulch and what i learned can anyone help

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shastasbaby Joined: 11/15/2008 Location: Piedmont, California Posts: 1	Posted: Nov/15/2008 9:22 PM PST So here is what I have learned with fir mulch and I would very much like some feedback. I live in California, I had a gardener convince me to put home depot mulch, fir mulch, on all of my beds. About 2 inches deep it was placed in the spring of this year. I have drip irrigation plus over watering from the lawn sprinkler heads. So None of the water from the sprinkler heads seemed to penetrate the mulch. Additionally, my plants seemed to always be deprived this summer. The drip system was new so it should not have been clogged. So this fall, today in fact, I bought new organic compost mulch. I turned the soil and discovered that the fir mulch had compacted like a cement layer. When I broke it up there was a bunch of white mold(?) layered throughout. But here is the interesting part... there were little puff balls of mold or something that when broken up had the appearance of something slimy inside... i am telling you it looked organic/living... can anyone give me some help here? I am confused. Do I dig out all of the old soil or can I amend it with the compost? Sorry for all the questions but I am very confused and concerned.. Thanks all. And if you live in the East Bay I am willing to do plant trades. Quote \| Reply \| Report

cwindler Joined: 1/03/2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1	Posted: Jan/03/2009 4:21 PM PST Today I pulled up some old planets and discovered the exact same thing. Did you ever find out what those white puff balls were? Quote \| Reply \| Report

witt Joined: 3/28/2008 Location: Lancaster, SC Posts: 16643 Moderator	Posted: Jan/04/2009 2:30 AM PST It's probably a fungus. I'd get rid of that mulch. Quote \| Reply \| Report

told2b Joined: 9/12/2006 Location: Northern, NJ Posts: 8374	Posted: Jan/04/2009 4:35 PM PST The fungi involved in the decomposition of landscape mulches are natural components of the mulch environment. These fungi are not harmful to landscape plants, and no known health hazards are associated with them unless they are eaten. Dr. John F. Baniecki WVU Extension Service Plant Pathology and Entomology Specialist Quote \| Reply \| Report

damethod Joined: 5/04/2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 637	Posted: Jan/12/2009 6:04 AM PST Thanks for the post! I've seen that white stuff on my wood mulch as well. I've never heard of fir mulch, but most of my plants have never had a problem with wood mulch. Quote \| Reply \| Report

carolyncat353 Joined: 4/29/2008 Location: Westlake, La Posts: 9806	Posted: Jan/12/2009 7:04 AM PST I have that fungus/mold show up in nearly all my mulch, especially those in the shade & moist places. Even when I use newspaper as mulch. I've always considered it harmless, and part of the 'breakdown' process. Quote \| Reply \| Report

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