Leaping into Spring

As the weather turns warmer, there are many tasks to be done around the house to prepare for it. Many of you will tackle the task of spreading new mulch in your flowerbeds and landscaped areas. If you choose a dark colored hardwood mulch, beware! The dark colored mulch can contain a fungus called Shotgun or Artillery Fungus. This fungus can shoot spores toward the light and as high as 20 feet depending on the wind conditions. If you have dark colored hardwood mulch already, you might notice dark spots on your siding. These spots are the spores from the fungus. They can be wiped off but will leave a mark. This can really just be a nuisance item but can also affect the long term appearance of your home. I have included a few pictures for this fungus.

Artillery Fungus  fungus 1