YUCK! If This Shows Up – What is It, and How to Get Rid of It

If you haven't noticed, it has been raining a lot.  Like A LOT!  I guess Mother Nature is trying to make up for the last two years of a drought.  But for real... it's a bit much. And now, this gross stuff has shown up in my landscaping... mulch.

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What is it?  I mean, anyone can look at it and see that it's probably mold, fungus, or some sort of slime.  But why and what can we do?

Apparently when it's super wet, like it has been, this is what happens... mold/slime/fungus.  It's actually a combination; or it can be.

Moldy mulch happens when excess moisture is present in the soil or environment around your garden. It can also occur if too much mulch has been added to the area, trapping moisture and promoting mold growth. It can also be caused by old, decaying plants and other organic materials left behind from previous seasons.

And how dispose of it can be tricky.

Moldy mulch is a common problem for homeowners. It can be unsightly and even harmful to your plants. Watch out for your cars, furniture, and other surfaces that may be affected as moldy mulch spores can shoot many feet into the distance!

What you should do is to scoop it out with something like a shovel.  Don't touch it with bare hands.  Bag it up and dispose of it like you would with other yard waste.  Do NOT compost it, because you may have a bigger issue on your hands if you do.

When it has been removed safely, you can replace the mulch with new, and clean mulch.