This is what Gemini says: That white, fuzzy growth on the soil is very likely fungal hyphae or mycelium, which is essentially the “root system” of a fungus.
This type of growth is extremely common, particularly in soil that is staying moist for a while, and often appears when organic matter (like old mulch, grass clippings, or even undissolved fertilizer) is present.
What it most likely is:
* Fungal Mycelium: This is the most likely culprit. It looks like a bright white, cottony or filamentous network.
* A Sign of a Living Soil: For the most part, seeing mycelium like this is a good sign! It indicates you have an active, healthy soil that is rich in organic matter. The fungus is busy breaking down this matter, which releases nutrients and makes them available for your plants and grass. It’s part of the natural decay process.
Is it a problem?
In most cases, no, it is not a major problem for the plants or grass themselves, as long as it isn’t growing on the plant stems or leaves.
* If the growth is excessive or you’re concerned about a plant: It may suggest that the topsoil is too wet for too long, which could eventually lead to issues like root rot in some plants. If this is a concern, you can try to let the top layer of the soil dry out more between waterings.
If you don’t like the appearance, you can simply rake the top of the soil to disturb it, and it will usually disappear.
Would you like some tips on how to manage soil moisture to discourage excessive surface growth?
West-Beach744
Slime mold. compare with ceratiomyxa (sp?)
WadjetSnakeGoddess
For the love of god do not use AI to identify fungus. Please wait for a real human to respond.
Shrimprbugs
This is mycelium/hyphae and its the living organism that produces mushrooms. No way to ID what kind of mushrooms until they fruit, but in no way is this a bad thing for your soil.
Mushrooms are a huge part of the soil development process. Trying to mitigate it in any way is likely more damaging than beneficial. Check back in this area around spring, or fall, after a rainy day – you might figure out what kind of mushroom this will be!
TrumpetOfDeath
It looks like a crystal and your soil is dry, perhaps this is some kind of salt deposited by evaporating water, similar to something called “efflorescence”
Ciarrai_IRL
Everyone seems to be calling it mycelium. While I won’t say it isn’t, it is like no mycelium I’ve ever seen. Typically you won’t get crystallization within fungal structures. I’d almost lean towards a chemical or some kind of mineral reacting with something in your soil. Beyond that, I don’t know, bit I’m interested to find out too.
ArachnomancerCarice
Very rarely does fungus actually need to be treated. They are critical to soil and plant health.
VoiceArtPassion
I think this is efflorescence.
spicychcknsammy
I saw this in the woods the other day. Never saw it before
traditionalhobbies
Why exactly does this need to be “treated”?
Prufrock_45
Looks like it might be a young chromelosporium coerulescens. “Its spore structures start white/blue, become rosy pink, then ocher.”
I really can’t be sure though.
Dinosaurrxd
Someone been watering a dry lawn with fertilizer recently? Looks like a salt deposit from it drying out.
travelingjack
Treat it with respect, it’s working for you benefit
DontWatchPornREADit
lichen when algae and fungi combine
Good guys
And deers love it
big_meat77
Where are you located? And does your water get treated by the city? When the city over treats our water in our town we get crystals from the chemicals. If we use it on our house plants we get a white crystal layer start to form.
homebrew_1
Just leave it alone.
EvilEtienne
Can you get a pair of gloves and try to pick some up? If it’s a chemical salt it will crumble but if it’s a fungal or bacterial mat it will feel fibrous or soily.
SandVir
You don’t need to treat it… It’s a fungus and it’s 👌🏼
naturenerd42
If it’s soft, probably fungus. If it’s hard and crystalline, then I’d go with Saltpetre.
MrRikleman
I cannot help you ID it. But I would say it’s not necessary to know exactly what it is, and it’s certainly not necessary to treat it. It’ll go away soon enough.
20 Comments
This is what Gemini says: That white, fuzzy growth on the soil is very likely fungal hyphae or mycelium, which is essentially the “root system” of a fungus.
This type of growth is extremely common, particularly in soil that is staying moist for a while, and often appears when organic matter (like old mulch, grass clippings, or even undissolved fertilizer) is present.
What it most likely is:
* Fungal Mycelium: This is the most likely culprit. It looks like a bright white, cottony or filamentous network.
* A Sign of a Living Soil: For the most part, seeing mycelium like this is a good sign! It indicates you have an active, healthy soil that is rich in organic matter. The fungus is busy breaking down this matter, which releases nutrients and makes them available for your plants and grass. It’s part of the natural decay process.
Is it a problem?
In most cases, no, it is not a major problem for the plants or grass themselves, as long as it isn’t growing on the plant stems or leaves.
* If the growth is excessive or you’re concerned about a plant: It may suggest that the topsoil is too wet for too long, which could eventually lead to issues like root rot in some plants. If this is a concern, you can try to let the top layer of the soil dry out more between waterings.
If you don’t like the appearance, you can simply rake the top of the soil to disturb it, and it will usually disappear.
Would you like some tips on how to manage soil moisture to discourage excessive surface growth?
Slime mold. compare with ceratiomyxa (sp?)
For the love of god do not use AI to identify fungus. Please wait for a real human to respond.
This is mycelium/hyphae and its the living organism that produces mushrooms. No way to ID what kind of mushrooms until they fruit, but in no way is this a bad thing for your soil.
Mushrooms are a huge part of the soil development process. Trying to mitigate it in any way is likely more damaging than beneficial. Check back in this area around spring, or fall, after a rainy day – you might figure out what kind of mushroom this will be!
It looks like a crystal and your soil is dry, perhaps this is some kind of salt deposited by evaporating water, similar to something called “efflorescence”
Everyone seems to be calling it mycelium. While I won’t say it isn’t, it is like no mycelium I’ve ever seen. Typically you won’t get crystallization within fungal structures. I’d almost lean towards a chemical or some kind of mineral reacting with something in your soil. Beyond that, I don’t know, bit I’m interested to find out too.
Very rarely does fungus actually need to be treated. They are critical to soil and plant health.
I think this is efflorescence.
I saw this in the woods the other day. Never saw it before
Why exactly does this need to be “treated”?
Looks like it might be a young chromelosporium coerulescens. “Its spore structures start white/blue, become rosy pink, then ocher.”
I really can’t be sure though.
Someone been watering a dry lawn with fertilizer recently? Looks like a salt deposit from it drying out.
Treat it with respect, it’s working for you benefit
lichen when algae and fungi combine
Good guys
And deers love it
Where are you located? And does your water get treated by the city? When the city over treats our water in our town we get crystals from the chemicals. If we use it on our house plants we get a white crystal layer start to form.
Just leave it alone.
Can you get a pair of gloves and try to pick some up? If it’s a chemical salt it will crumble but if it’s a fungal or bacterial mat it will feel fibrous or soily.
You don’t need to treat it… It’s a fungus and it’s 👌🏼
If it’s soft, probably fungus. If it’s hard and crystalline, then I’d go with Saltpetre.
I cannot help you ID it. But I would say it’s not necessary to know exactly what it is, and it’s certainly not necessary to treat it. It’ll go away soon enough.