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  • From: Allan Balliett <igg AT igg.com>
  • To: cheselka AT theriver.com, Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Cc:
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Two Questions
  • Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 09:27:42 -0500

Title: Re: [Market-farming] Two Questions
When I looked at it closer this time, it looks like the white mold
that tends to grow on things.  My question is: is this what I think it
problem is, and is it ok for it to be there?

Hey, Matt, looks like most everyone else is enjoying the holidays!
I'll take a shot at your first question.
Most likely the sort of white mold you are referring to is a white mold that indicates that the stack has been over 160 degrees for an extended period of time and has exhausted the moisture in the parts of the stack. It is this dryness and relatively high heat that encourages the growth of this white mold.

I do not know that the white mold is harmful, but I do know that the presence of it indicates an improperly build and/or maintained compost pile. The work around is to make certain that you are at maximum moisture levels when you build the stack. We do this by having a mister on a hose handy and making sure that everything that goes into the stack is glistening with moisture. We also monitor the stack temp. We try to hold it at 160 for 4 days (I haven't checked my notes, but I believe this is the temp and duration for killing seeds.) and then we turn it and re-moisten AS NECESSARY with the hose. We repeat this turning-wetting-building as often as necessary, but turn at 150 degrees after the first turning. After a few weeks (mmmm, maybe 7), the stack stops heating and you've got compost! (For tomatoes, anyway. I'd probably let compost for lettuce set for another year before using it. )

Don't fret about the white mold. It's very common and everyone but Seigfried Luebke (at great expense, though) gets it frequently.

About your Spinach: you've given a great description, but I don't know what the problem is. I'd like to hear more about it or see a picture. I'd certainly like to know what you find out!

-Allan Balliett
Shepherdstown, WV



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