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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsOur mulch keeps trying to kill us.
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 dont 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
(1,665 posts)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
(22,264 posts)especially if the weather is very hot and dry.
LiberalLoner
(9,762 posts)nitpicker
(7,153 posts)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
(9,762 posts)Phoenix61
(17,006 posts)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
(9,762 posts)abqtommy
(14,118 posts)sane farmer ever puts wet hay up in the barn!
LiberalLoner
(9,762 posts)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
(5,834 posts)Better Homes and Gardens:
Shotgun Fungus Can Shoot Black Spots on Your HouseHere'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
(9,762 posts)malaise
(269,067 posts)shit - manure in ships
Sanity Claws
(21,849 posts)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
(9,762 posts)A nearby bush was sunburned too. So the real culprit was the window acting as a magnifying glass.
yellowdogintexas
(22,264 posts)Turn it and water it a bit as you put the layers back.
LiberalLoner
(9,762 posts)Remove the mulch and replace with rocks which are hopefully less combustible.
Sanity Claws
(21,849 posts)Yes lets hope your rocks dont combust.