Health?

Doesn't compost create mold that could foul your garden, and possibly make you sick?

No! Not if you do it right. You need to read about taking care of a compost, its not hard you just need to remember to keep on it.

It needs to be hot and moist and kept mixed.

ProdigalSun said:

Doesn't compost create mold that could foul your garden, and possibly make you sick?

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Who ever told you that?

Some people are deathly allergic to mold.

Im just starting to learn about organic soils and composting. I tried it, and got mold, so I figured I'd better start asking questions as I must be doing something wrong.

OK, its white.

A freind almost died one night because there was mold in some brick weed. She was lucky. Now that we are a medical state, all that garbage is gone. Thank goodness. Just one more reason to end this endless senseless war.

I have heard of ppl being allergic to mold but don't understand how that could possibly be. There are mold/fungus spores all around us all the time. Are these ppl just constantly breaking out?

Always thought germaphobes were damaging their immune system

uromastyx said:

Always thought germaphobes were damaging their immune system

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lol they are a little bit of dirt is good for you

Molds are everywhere; we're constantly inhaling mold spores. Different molds create a lot of different kinds of different compounds that people can be allergic to. Certain molds even make antibiotics themselves, and some people are even allergic to these compounds, such as penicillin. In fact, humans got the whole idea for antibiotics from soil microbes in the first place.

There are a lot of different kinds of organisms in compost though: bacteria, archaea, protozoans, nematodes, as well as fungi (mostly saprophytic, symbiotic fungi and not just molds). The specific kinds should be very common; many of the same species found in the dirt in your yard assuming it was healthy. Most compost and earthworm castings are also dominated by bacteria, although even earthworm castings will contain some fungi.

Interestingly enough some fungi are actually used as bio-control agents to protect against other, much much worse fungi such as pythium and fusarium and other pests. Certain strains of the very common Trichoderma sp. have been developed and marketed for this purpose. They work by producing their own own antimicrobials, stimulating host-plant resistance, and competing directly against other organisms.

But, there is actually a species of Trichoderma that causes toxic house mold. Honestly though, I would be more worried about the potential for anaerobic microbes in manures, or breathing in guano dust contaminated with histoplasmosis. Dust and any potential for related lung irritation would probably be the main concern when working with soil\potting mix also (which may or may not contain guano). Ideally you would be wearing at least a dust mask or filter mask\respirator, especially when working with guano.

Tanks for that post, I had completely forgotten about the hazards associated with Guano. When I do get some, I'll be using a mask now.

If your worried about mold in organics then maybe try to go hydro? I agree it is an issue with organic growing and the main reason I got rid of all that dirt and additives. Mixing your medium is just as dangerous for inhalation also.

I am glad I switched, made my life better.

I am really leery of chemicals, and dont have much of a budget, so I was looking into as many do it yourself methods as possible.

I do not like any Chemicals, I try and stay as natural as possible. For the veggie garden I will stay will cow crap and compost, and none of the human-shit dirt. People need to remember your eating and smoking what you grow.