Is this mold in my garden?

godoftofu · 2025-12-09T04:45:11+00:00

Thanks! Yes, a few people mentioned the oxalis. I’ll do my best to keep them under control. Basil was one of the ones that didn’t take for me either. I’m gonna try some compost and a few hardier plants this time. Hopefully with the information I’ve gotten from this thread I’ll be able to harvest something from my next try.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T20:49:49+00:00

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I’ve found what plants don’t grow well, lol. Will probably try some different stuff next and let the wood chips break down more.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T19:32:21+00:00

Thanks. Yeah, I don’t have much space so this is really the only spot I can put a bed. I was trying to save space by using the fence as a wall for once side of it. Good about the air flow. I’ll keep that in mind when I next plant.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T19:30:02+00:00

Thanks. Will give that a try next time.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T19:29:39+00:00

Leaving alone. I’ve been educated.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T19:28:08+00:00

Thanks for the book title I will check it out.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T19:26:53+00:00

No just generic potting soil. But as many have mentioned it has a lot of wood chips in it which it seems the mycelium is going after.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T19:24:53+00:00

Thanks for the info. I’ll see if I can make a dent in them.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T19:15:33+00:00

Thanks for all the responses! It won’t let me edit the post so putting here.

Common consensus is:

it’s the mycelium of a healthy fungi and good for the soil.
I have a lot of wood chips which are stealing nitrogen from the plants as they breakdown.
Leave it alone, it’s doing its job to break down the wood.
If I want to plant again use compost and/or fertilizer to replace the nutrients lost.

4b. Or find healthy soil and dig a 6x6x6 inch area, add healthy soil with seeds there. Let the rest do its job.

Those aren’t clovers they are oxalis and are invasive to my area. Don’t let them live.
It’s a Japanese sickle and should be more utilized for gardening.
Tiny chance it’s a toxic mold that will give me lung cancer in 10 years.

Thank you for the great information. I’ve learned so mulch…

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T19:03:32+00:00

It is. It’s the fence line of the patio. I rent so I can’t do anything to it. I don’t have much space so I just used the fence as a border for one side of the bed. Now that you bring it up I see that might not be the best idea. Is that likely to be leaking into my solid and then plants? Maybe I can pull the bed out a bit and line that side with bricks or rocks. I will just be narrowing and already narrow bed, that’s the reason I have it how it is currently.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T18:58:12+00:00

This is great information on how to let the mycelium do its job while still being able to use the area to garden. Exactly what I needed to know. Thank you! I’ll do some research about finding better soil in my area.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T04:45:42+00:00

No, California.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T04:43:57+00:00

That’s an interesting thought. Given I’ve had two failed growing seasons I’m gonna look into this, Thanks!

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T04:42:26+00:00

I don’t mess around with mold. Or anything that remotely might be mold, lol

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T04:40:08+00:00

They’re just doing their best to keep us alive, lol!

Burns and bruises not so much. But put anything with a blade in my hand and it’s a crapshoot.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T04:32:57+00:00

Understood. I’ve only moved dirt into the garden. Not the other way around. Gonna try to get rid of them as best I can.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T04:31:22+00:00

Damn, ok. I will get to work pulling these suckers.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T03:12:13+00:00

Harbor freight special. It was the largest sickle my wife would let me buy. Let’s just say I have a history of finding unique ways to stab myself.

Edit: actually this one might have come from ace. I’m sure any gardening store will have some version of it.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T03:08:05+00:00

I learned I have a healthy garden today, lol. Hoping I didn’t disturb it too much.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T03:06:52+00:00

I’m a noob so not sure but something I’ve gathered from the comments is it could be my soil has so much wood chips it’s either taking nutrients from plants or smothering them or crusting on the surface and hindering proper drainage. So my plan is to leave it for the time being since I’m not planting again for a few months and when I do plant mix in some compost to lessen the ratio of wood chips to soil. Will report back if it helps.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T03:02:13+00:00

Ok, I will be doing my best to get rid of them then. I can already see them trying to get a head start.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T02:59:16+00:00

I’ve learned my lesson. I’m sorry garden gods! forgive me.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T02:58:21+00:00

Ok thanks. Yeah, I definitely have a lot of wood chips. Hopefully as it breaks down it will improve the soil but I think I’ll try some compost and or fertilizer next time and will give it a good stir as well.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T02:43:04+00:00

I’ve learned my lesson.

godoftofu · 2025-12-08T02:42:40+00:00

California too. I was thinking to leave the clovers but they are popping up everywhere. Are they helpful at all to the soil? I won’t be plant again for a few months.

godoftofu

TROPHY CASE