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    The soil in the circle is now so alive that it digests mulch fast. The coarse wood chips that we spread two years ago are now a thin layer. The kids love to climb the trophy boulder and look around, then jump off the sheer east edge. Where they land they have pounded the wood chips into the dirt. Seeds that fly in sprout there. So we have to add two or three inches of mulch around the boulder in the open spots in the garden. I called Kent at the city two days ago, the next morning he sent out a load of mulch, and tomorrow morning we'll spread it. There's more mulch than we need but no matter. What's left we'll take home.

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Yvonne replied 11 months ago
I have the red wood mulch like yours. I recently discovered there is a hard layer of white stuff under it. I have dug up a lot of it but haven't found what is happening. Saw your picture this morning and hope you can tell me what is happening. Noticed the mulch was a thin layer after ab... two years and didn't know that happened. Your information has been very helpful to me.Thanks . Yvonne  
Groundskeeper replied 11 months ago
@Yvonne: i think your layer of white stuff is cemented together by the white strands of several funguses that know how to digest wood. I've seen this many times, always with the bottom layer of mulch that is in contact with the ground. The funguses come from the ground and they favor the bottom layer because it has the moisture that they need. The white, cemented layer allows rain to pass through and reach the ground. After the funguses digest as much wood as they can, the wood is digestible by other soil critters and they make a living from eating the prepared wood. That's why a layer of new mulch is thinner a few years later. It's a good thing because it shows that your soil is alive and plants will love it.
Yvonne replied 11 months ago
Groundkeeper,Thanks for the information.  I dug up or broke up the cemented layerÂ...(that  explains it perfectly) and mixed it with the mulch. Would the fungus still be there and what should I do to get rid of it? I am not having such good luck with the mulch as you are having. I do appreciate your help.Many thanks. Yvonne
Groundskeeper replied 11 months ago
@Yvonne: I don't think you have to try to eliminate the fungus. It helps the soil by partially digesting the mulch.
The depth of the mulch matters. In the traffic circle, in places our mulch is too deep (two and a half inches). In small rains, the water never reaches the ground.
How deep is your mulch? Also, what is it? That matters too.
Ah, another question. When did you spread this mulch?
Yvonne replied 11 months ago
Hi Groundkeeper: That is good news! I  broke up more yesterday and watered the area. Looks like redwood chips. I wonder if the red color has anything to do with the fungus?  It was put there about a year ago  and was about two to three inches deep. The fungus area is just  barely covered now. That is how I discovered the problem.  Will this fungus keep spreading or will it disappear?  Also, will it kill the plants?  I have Japanese boxwood, Golden euonymus and two  Italian cypress all pl... at the same time the mulch was used.   Thanks for your help.Yvonne.             
Groundskeeper replied 11 months ago
You're in luck, the fungus won't harm your plants. It's interested in digesting the moist layer next to the ground.That's all.
It keep growing as long as conditions are good. Without a layer of mulch on top it may dry up. 
I suspect the mulch was colored red. That doesn't matter. If the mulch is redwood chips that's fine too.
I think your mulch at the start was a bit too deep. One inch deep is all you need.
Now that you have removed a lot of the mulch, what remains might be too shallow.  What do you think? Groundskeeper
Yvonne replied 11 months ago
I dug up more of the fungus and I am trying to get rid of it by breaking it up and mixing it with the mulch. Like you say, the mulch just covers the soil now. Never used mulch before so know nothing about it. Learned a lot from you. Reading your notes- it doesn't look like you have this fungus problem. Why me? I finally found  a lot of your photos today and they look very interesting so will spend time looking at them. Many thanks. Yvonne
Groundskeeper replied 11 months ago
@Yvonne: The layer of fungus and mulch is good for your plants. If you leave it, the mulch will decompose a little faster and build the soil a little faster. I photographed the fungus and mulch in my garden. There are two photos here. 
Yvonne replied 11 months ago
Groundskeeper. Thanks for the photos. I fully understand all about fungus now and will  lea... the area alone and be happy and content with my garden. Never too old to learn! Thanks. Yvonne
Groundskeeper replied 11 months ago
@Yvonne: My pleasure. Come back to tell us how your garden grew.
Yvonne replied 10 months ago
Groundskeeper:I  have petunias and impatiens growing very well and are so colorful. Only planted about 2 weeks ago. Gazanias are starting to bloom. Think we discussed them way back and told you I dug most of them up this year. But a lot of them are popping up from seeds, i guess. Luckily they seem to grow wild here.Do you know anything about Dodonea viscosa 'Purpurea'. Purple Hopseed Bush? It was planted about a year ago. The same time as the mulch but we won't go there again-right? This shrub has grown to about 12 feet high. It had small flowers on it when it was bought but none ever since.A gardener was to have come this morning to trim it and all the other plants in the mulch. Maybe that is what is making everything grow so well? Yvonne
Groundskeeper replied 10 months ago
@Yvonne: I'm glad to hear your plants are thriving. I'm sure mulch has something to do with it. I don't know Dodonea viscosa 'Purpurea' (I mean I haven't grown it). It flowers once a year. Yours might be getting ready to flower next Spring. Time will tell. Petunias have re-seeded for me too, especially in the neighborhood garden on my street. The original plants were 'Purple Wave.' The seedlings have smaller flowers, smooth leaves, and a range of colors in purple.

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