Opened a new bag of compost - covered in mould - is it safe to use?

[dominic10]

Apart from the fact that it is really quite the most awful compost I have ever bought I have carried on using it and thought never again. More like composted straw than compost - have had to sieve it to use it. But finally have just opened the last bag and it is covered in mould. Well I think it is mould. White horrible stuff.I think I will take it back but would it be safe to use. Never ever had this kind of thing happen before. It's Homebase Plus. I bought a buy 3 for the price of 2.

[rustylady]

Take it back if you're not happy with it. You may even get a refund or a few more bags of compost.

[Kleftiwallah]

Take it back. I bet the customer services geek comes up with the old phrase "Well no-one else has complained" ! ! !

I agree with your comment on the general standard of compost.
Cheers, Tony.

[bearded bloke]

TBH I doubt that they will change it purely because of the white fungal growth,it is likely to occur in any of the modern non-peat based composts read the back of the bag carefully the will probably be a disclaimer in the text,similar to that on the attachment below ..........

[dominic10]

Thanks BB - I have spoken to my local branch and they will change it fingers crossed - will have to hurry up while same person is working there. Just waiting for my OH to come home as I can't lift it into the car. I do wear gloves but its breathing the spores? in I'm worried about.

[bearded bloke]

Fair enough Dominic you do only get one set of lungs,so better safe than sorry

[Two_Sheds]

covered in mould. ..White horrible stuff.

It's completely normal, and harmless

it is likely to occur in any of the modern non-peat based composts ...read the back of the bag carefully

Yep, my New Horizon says white mould is normal & harmless

(tbh, I'd be very concerned if composting wood WAS NOT able to support fungi

[Urban]

I had one like it before, it goes after a bit once you have opened the bag, and yes I'd be a bit worried about breathing in the spores in an enclosed space of a car, make sure you cover it up

[dominic10]

Took it back and had a refund. TBH my health is not that good at the moment and mould is a definite no no. It's been bad enough that I have had to sieve the compost to use it. VAST difference between the B & Q multi purpose compost. But stuff is growing in it so that is the good news.

[FB.]

Any compost will go "mouldy" if left standing around - especially if it's damp (water and air can get in through anti-suffocation holes in the sack, allowing spores to germinate or even enter the holes during wet weather).
The mould is very unlikely to be harmful*. It is probably the very same fungi which helped break down the rotted plant material into compost in the first place - and probably those same fungi will be in your soil, ready to break down the compost, after which the plants can use the breakdown products.

*If you have respiratory problems, composts or manures or any kind - or even garden work in general - may cause your airways problems (due to dust, spores, pollen and invisible micro-organisms in the dust which you may end up breathing in, regardless of whether you can actually see any fungal growth; not all fungi are easy to see with the eyes).

So if you're gardening already (regardless of health) I would not worry about the compost showing moulds.

You should see the weird mushrooms and other fungi growing in my OH's raised beds and in my fruit tree mulches.