Question
Same problem in MA as man in TN 7/5/07. I sprayed the yellow mound with my hose last week & the black powder came out. Today there are 3 more yellow mounds & the black powder from the 1st bursted mound is ALL over the flowers around it. What is this stuff??? I've never seen it or had it before. I dont want to spray the new mounds & spread the powder. What else can I do?

Answer
Hi Felicia, it's a slime mold. It's harmless to your plants. Just blast it apart with your water hose as soon as you see it, usually it hasn't matured enough to develop the spores. Even if you spread the spores, few will develop and just blast them apart if it returns. Quite common on new mulch and any decomposing wood. Jim