Mouldy Compost?

I recently took advantage of a closing down sale at a branch of Homebase and bought a large sack of Miracle Gro all purpose compost. I've been using a bit, and the sack has been sitting in the greenhouse, open, alongside a sack of Verve compost from B&Q. Just got back from a week away, and when I went to take some compost out today there is a white mould (mildew?) on the top of the MG compost, but not the Verve. Any advice on what to do, and whether I need to chuck out the MG? The white is only on the top. The greenhouse is unheated, but water hasn't been getting into the bag.

 

@Irmemac Im sure if you contacted the company directly with the details they would advise you, and if need be compensate you for the inconvenience...i once had a duff bag from a company ... cant remember which one but they were really helpful and dealt with me very well, in fact, they couldnt have been more accommodating

 

No problem, just give it a good stirring up before you use it, Often seen this but never found it to be harmful.
I doubt it will be a problem once the air gets to it.

 

Agree with Pete, quite normal esp if damp
However, two things.....wash your hands after handling any compost and avoid breathing too near to it in a closed environment.

 

Thanks all for the advice. Will give it a good stir. Didn't know not to breathe too close to it....
@BeeHappy - good idea, hadn't thought of that.

 

Also forgot to mention that they were really pleased that i had informed them as at that time i wasn't the first customer with concerns...Feedback was something that they took on board seriously and, to address if needs be - so as they said they would rather the customer contact them than potentially lose a customer over something that they can reassure the customer about- as they said to me 1 aggrieved customer can potentially become many through just general chat

 

@Irmemac All reputable compost /soil bags will state not breathe in or handle without gloves ...due to the organisms
It be a dangerous business this gardening lark

 

Time to start reading some instructions methinks!

:embarrassed:

 

and you a Miss. T.....r

 

Common sense here.......lots of potential perils with composts, fertilisers etc., and dont overlook the dangers of perlite and the like that can easily cause lung damage if inhaled too closely.
Not sure we need to contact manufacturers etc.....again common sense is required. If in doubt with composts then spread them outside on the garden.
I buy fresh compost and fertilisers every year and I think this is a sensible thing

 

:shy:

 

Sage advice - after all, only they know what went into it/who supplied it By that same token, if it were a duff batch, better they know about it
Same with any product you buy which you may be concerned about; thanks to diligent consumers a number of products get recalled, for a variety of reasons.

Alternatively, if garden related ... post on a gardening forum!

 

Bags of compost have multiple 'prick' size holes in the bags, and as soon as the polythene wrapping that protects a pallet load of them from rain is removed at garden centres they will begin to get soaked and become prone to going mouldy causing death and destruction to any germinating seeds sown in it.

I would never use any compost that has been stored in the open for seed germination, it's just not worth it.


P.S. If buying reduced, bargain compost, store it under cover.

 

Scrungee, that makes complete sense. I bought several bags of different kinds there, and that bag was particularly heavy and came from a pallet outside. I think you have hit the nail on the head. I suppose I'd better chuck it then. So loath to do so as it wasn't the cheapest, even with a reduction.

 

Sound advice from Scrungee