Free straw

cjp1953 · June 13, 2015

The city of Akron is giving bales of straw away that were used to insulate a roof of a shelter at one of there parks this past winter.The bales were bag in plastic and have mold on them.I always bought my bales for mulch in my garden.Any concerns with using straw with mold in the garden?

Cole_Robbie · June 14, 2015

I don't think it would hurt the plants. Some people happen to be very sensitive to mold, as far as the person spreading the straw goes. Any time one works around mold, at least a paper face mask is recommended.

PhilaGardener · June 14, 2015

Yes, you should be very careful not to inhale the spores!

I'd use a toxic dust mask rated for mold remediation - you can find them in hardware/big box stores - just to be sure.

cjp1953 · June 14, 2015

I think I'm going to pass on the offer.Just wanted imput from others on the forum.Thanks for your responces.

Gardeneer · June 15, 2015

Not all molds are bad for us and the plants: Blue cheese , mold on old bread , etc.

If you sun dry the bales , the mold/spores should die.

Worth1 · June 15, 2015

I only have one word to say, 'Ergot.

Worth

clkeiper · June 15, 2015

Hey, I live close enough can I get some or are they limited to Summit county residents? I would be happy to have them.

June 13, 2015	#1
cjp1953 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cuyahoga Falls,Ohio Posts: 818	Free straw The city of Akron is giving bales of straw away that were used to insulate a roof of a shelter at one of there parks this past winter.The bales were bag in plastic and have mold on them.I always bought my bales for mulch in my garden.Any concerns with using straw with mold in the garden?

June 15, 2015	#7
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	Hey, I live close enough can I get some or are they limited to Summit county residents? I would be happy to have them. __________________ carolyn k

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June 14, 2015	#2
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I don't think it would hurt the plants. Some people happen to be very sensitive to mold, as far as the person spreading the straw goes. Any time one works around mold, at least a paper face mask is recommended.

June 14, 2015	#3
PhilaGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Near Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,940	Yes, you should be very careful not to inhale the spores! I'd use a toxic dust mask rated for mold remediation - you can find them in hardware/big box stores - just to be sure.

June 15, 2015	#5
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,916	Not all molds are bad for us and the plants: Blue cheese , mold on old bread , etc. If you sun dry the bales , the mold/spores should die.

June 15, 2015	#6
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I only have one word to say, 'Ergot. Worth