[RJR_38]

While clearing my jungle of weeds I have come across a patch of nettles/brambles where there is white powder amongst th roots (pics below although slightly blurred as it was cold this morning)Any ideas what it could be and what I can do about it? My first thought was some sort of 'rotting' plastic bag but it is going over quite a vast area....

[BabbyAnn]

looks like some sort of mould (you often see it in manure/compost) like mildew - but to find it round the roots is a little odd unless there had been something there that had composted down.

[RJR_38]

There are plants that have died off in the area (I assumed it was because they were so densely growing and so some had died off). Thinking about it, I think it is around the roots of the dead nettles mainly.

Any ideas what I should do and if the soil is 'safe' to be planting in?

[BabbyAnn]

it should be fine - dig the soil over and incorporate air in and all those nutrients from the decayed matter will go into the soil ready for the crops

[Kleftiwallah]

Could it be mycelium of a fungi?

Cheers,   Tony.

[RJR_38]

I had to look up what that meant! But yes, I suppose it could be. I have just been digging it out and leaving it on top of the soil so maybe a lot of it will have gone by the time I get down there next weekend

[Ema]

Does look like a mould hopefully some sunshine will kill it off

[RJR_38]

Thanks for all your replies I was beginning to panic that it was some sort of toxic poisonous substancd that would stop me growing here!