Mold in dirt under grass - Ask Extension
I cut a trench in my front yard to replace pct sprinkler pipes that were ruined/cracked by my Elm tree roots. While digging I noticed a white, moldy s...
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Mold in dirt under grass #800844
Asked July 13, 2022, 1:06 AM EDT
I cut a trench in my front yard to replace pct sprinkler pipes that were ruined/cracked by my Elm tree roots. While digging I noticed a white, moldy smelling residue of ball shaped substance mixed in with the dirt and roots. It started about 4 inches under the grass roots and went about 12 inches deep. Previous to digging I noticed a swath of my grass drying up- about three feet across and 20 feet long. Below this swath I believe is the deeply in bedded mold. What is this white substance? Can it spread? Could it be causing my grass to dry up? What can I do to rid my lawn of this substance? Se pictures.
Jackson County Oregon
Expert Response
Just like fungi start growing on a piece of bread, fungi can also grow on any organic matter present in or on the soil. The white fungi grow vigorously in moist soil and will die out if you allow the soil to dry out. Let the fungi break down the organic matter, and they will eventually die out once their job is done. If you don’t want the fungus to spread, make sure there is no plant debris or other organic matter in its vicinity.
