Fungus and Mold on Compost Pile

stephanietx · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 35 Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS

I turned last year's compost pile 2 weeks ago, just before the big rains. Now I have mold and fungus growing on it. I've never had this problem before. Will sprinkling cornmeal on the top kill it and/or should I turn the cornmeal into the pile?

Stephanie

P Ferrell · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 20 Location: Allen,TEXAS

Some types of fungi are very beneficial for your compost (or perhaps for the plants that receive the benefits of the compost). I know that folks sometimes want to see high fungal populations in the compost used for making aerated compost tea.

Now how do you tell the good from the bad? I haven't a clue. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it at all unless it's mature compost that you're preparing to use soon.

Not much help, I know, but since these forums get so little traffic maybe a small contribution is better than none.

Regards,
Patrick Ferrell
Allen, Texas

P Ferrell · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 20 Location: Allen,TEXAS

I was cogitating on this subject while I was about my chores.

What is Nature trying to tell you? When I think of fungus, I think of mushrooms growing on decaying wood in the forest. (I try not to think of the toenail kind.)

Maybe the fungus is a sign that your compost is carbon-rich and has a lot of woody material left (for good or bad, I could not say). Add some "greens" to your pile and see if boosting the bacteria can balance out the fungi.

An even better solution is to wait for someone who actually knows compost to come along and tell you what ought be done.

Regards (again),
Patrick Ferrell
Allen, Texas

stephanietx · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 35 Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS

Will have to find some greens to add to the pile. Right now it seems like all I have is brown. Guess this means I need to get weeding.

Stephanie

Tony M · Joined: 31 Mar 2003 Posts: 1087 Location: McKinney,TEXAS

You can also add some coffee grounds, seaweed, molasses or fish. Don't cut your lawn and dump large quantities of green grass in without mixing it up. Grass tends to mat and stick together so air can't get at it. I'm sure your kitchen scraps are going in there, right?
Tony M

Tricky Grama · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:36 am Post subject:

How about if you just turn it? That seems to cure almost anything in mine.

Patty

Dchall_San_Antonio · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 2001 Location: San Antonio,TEXAS

Fungus is a sign that your compost pile is working correctly. NO FUNGUS can be a problem because you typically have browns in there that require fungi to decompose.

squid · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 49 Location: Abilene,TEXAS

a couple of days after a rain I always have these flat yellow growths come up on my mulched areas. After they dry out I notice a very heavy, black cloud come up from them when I walk on them or hit them with a water hose. Is that a fungus?

stephanietx · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 35 Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS

Tricky Grama wrote: How about if you just turn it? That seems to cure almost anything in mine.

Patty

That's what I did...I turned it! It was fine before turning it! LOL

Quote: I'm sure your kitchen scraps are going in there, right?

Not so much right now as we were planning on using this in our beds this year. It's been composting all year. I did add some weeds I'd pulled up as well as some other yard stuff. I checked it today and most of the fungus is gone, but the little patch of mold is still there. It looks kinda cute! :lol:

Stephanie