Our mulch keeps trying to kill us.

[LiberalLoner]

We learned something new today. Mulch can self combust. Last year we blamed it on a probable cigarette thrown by a passerby. This year, clearly self combustion.

We had no idea mulch did that.

We now have very wet mulch. We have decided we don’t like black mulch very much anymore even though it looks nice and keeps the weeds down.

Just thought I would post this in case some of you have mulch that is plotting to kill you.

[AleksS]

1. I remember my family talking about barns going up if they cut and stored the hay too green.

Apparently as it dries or decomposes or something it can build up enough heat if it's stacked or piled enough.

Everything's always trying to find a way to kill you.

More info:

https://nasdonline.org/915/d000758/hay-fires-prevention-and-control.html

[yellowdogintexas]

14. tobacco barns will self implode.

especially if the weather is very hot and dry.

[LiberalLoner]

2. Thank you, I didn't think the mulch was deep enough to be a problem, but I was wrong...

[nitpicker]

3. That reminds me of when part of a tree split off

And the tree company chopped it all up into little bits and piled it up.

Someone told me it could catch on fire and helped me pull it apart, then dispose of it.

[LiberalLoner]

4. I just had no idea. Feeling very stupid.

[Phoenix61]

5. Decomposing organic matter generates heat

which is good because it kills stuff in the mulch. Not so good if it gets too hot and bursts into flames. Towels washed in bleach and dried till they are very hot and left in a pile can do the same thing. Several restaurants have gone up in flames because of that.

[LiberalLoner]

6. Wow I had no idea!

[abqtommy]

7. Thanks for the reminder. When I worked on a dairy many years ago I learned just why no

sane farmer ever puts wet hay up in the barn!

[LiberalLoner]

8. 👍😬

[LiberalLoner]

9. Update...found out what the problem was...our bay windows...

For some reason our bay windows that stick out from the side of the house are acting as a magnifying glass when the sun is at a certain angle. So we are digging up the mulch and placing rocks instead. That should solve the problem.

[Wicked Blue]

10. Did you know that mulch spits black spots on your house?

It's not merely out to commit arson, it can shoot goop at your home. It's called artillery or cannonball fungus (Sphaerobolus).

Better Homes and Gardens:

Shotgun Fungus Can Shoot Black Spots on Your House—Here's How to Avoid the Mess

If you're seeing dark specks on your siding, the culprit could be hiding in your mulch. Use these simple landscaping tips to prevent this from happening.

Updated May 01, 2020

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/mulch/how-can-i-get-rid-of-the-black-spots-on-my-siding-near-mulch/

[LiberalLoner]

15. Oh no!!!!

[malaise]

11. Clearly you didn't see the thread on the origin of the word

shit - manure in ships

[Sanity Claws]

12. How big is your mulch pile?

I know that compost gets hot and you should never have compost piles higher than 6 feet.
I can't imagine your mulch pile being more than a couple of inches.

[LiberalLoner]

16. It was only a couple inches deep but our bay windows were acting as a magnifying glass

A nearby bush was sunburned too. So the real culprit was the window acting as a magnifying glass.

[yellowdogintexas]

13. turning the pile every so often helps keep it cooled down.

Turn it and water it a bit as you put the layers back.

[LiberalLoner]

17. We had a good soaking rain today, should be okay until Saturday when the crew comes to

Remove the mulch and replace with rocks which are hopefully less combustible.

[Sanity Claws]

18. That made me laugh.

Yes let’s hope your rocks don’t combust.

[LiberalLoner]

19. LOL at this point I don't trust any dang thing!