Mold in mulch... (Houston: organic, moving, trains)

[BROWNPLAYBOY310]

I noticed a few weeks ago some mushrooms growing in my mulch, I picked them and tossed them. Recently I've been getting this little tiny things that look like little cups. I try and pick them out but a few days later they are all back. Anyway, yesterday I tried digging them out and noticed under the top of my mulch the whole inner layer was turned white. I think I've got a huge fungus in there. I noticed my trees and plants in there had some withering leaves but I thought it was from the summer andante not enough water. Will this mold kill the plants and trees? Is there any way to fix this short of removing all the mulch and replacing it?

[HookTheBrotherUp]

It is probably slime mold, it will produce mushrooms, and there are various strains. Nothing needs to be done, it is harmless and organic too. Just rake it. It is common around here in the summer heat and humidity. Are you new to Houston, or taking care of a lawn in Houston?

[tstone]

August seems to be mold season in my yard as well. Usually that Scotts fungus killer in the orange bag works pretty well. Turn the mulch over thoroughly, apply the fungus killer and water it in or wait for rain. Should take care of it. Pretty soon that mold will spread and cause brown patches in your yard. The first cluster of mushrooms in the yard during mid-summer is usually your warning sign.

[testmo]

you want your compost/mulch to rot and decay. that is how the plants absorb nutrients from it. otherwise they are just a colorful blanket for your plants. if you got mushrooms growing (eating decaying matter) that is a good sign. I'd be hesitant about spreading a fungicide for a natural process. i avoid chemicals and chemical fertilizers as much as possible

[kreeyax]

I had several spots of slime mold growing in my mulch last year. It was unsightly, but it didn't harm my shrubs or trees. I tried spraying a little bleach water mix directly on the slime mold, but it really didn't seem to do anything to it. Putting fungicide on your st. augustine grass is a good idea, but I'd be a little hesitant to put it on my mulch beds.