white stuff in soil in tunnel

[kathyd]

Hi, I've just cleared some of my polytunnel beds of giant oriental mustard and chard, both of which did fantastically well over the winter. However, the soil in these beds - and in a couple of others which have been empty for a few weeks - is full of white stuff that looks like mushroom spawn (I wish!). It doesn't seem to have done any harm so far, but do I need to do anything with it before I add some compost and things ready for the next batch of plants? In fact, 2 of the bags of compost I bought in a supermarket recently were also full of the same white stuff - are they OK to use? Thx

[Kleftiwallah]

Could be mineral salts leached from the soil by watering? Cheers, Tony.

[taff]

or wood thats begun to get mycelium? on it.
I had loads in a bandq [spit] bag od compost a couple of years ago, or more, I can't remember. Wouldnt buy it again just because of the amount of wood in there that hadn't rotted properly.

[kathyd]

Hi Tony - possibly if all beds had been watered the same yes, but some are bone dry because they've been empty for a while.

Hi Taff - hadn't thought of that - we filled the beds with compost and soil from all over, including a neighbour's woodland...

[Two_Sheds]

The white fungus is nothing to worry about: it's common with recycled (ie peat free) compost too

[kathyd]

The white fungus is nothing to worry about: it's common with recycled (ie peat free) compost too

That's good to hear TS, thanks - so I can get on with adding more compost and things to what's already there .