Algea/green stuff on soil

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Daniellenerik Sanford, FL(Zone 9a) Apr 27, 2011

Hey!

I have this green stuff on the top of my soil...looks like algae. What can I do about it...I know I am not overwatering ...I have sandy soil, with black cow, and miracle grow soil ...all mixed together....The garden has been set up for about 7 weeks now....any ideas??

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Gymgirl SE Houston (Hobby), TX(Zone 9a) May 01, 2011

My first suggestion would have been to let the soil dry out, but you say you're noT overwatering.

So, my next suggestion would be to gently scrape off as much as you can, then spritz the soilbed with some H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide). Use about 1 Tbsp per gallon of water.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Linda

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Clonearmy Holden, WV May 06, 2011

Is this green growth harmful to myself or my plants?

All of my pots (some of my pots are actually 4'x3' clear plastic rubbermaid containers filled to the top with dirt. Where i live I have no outside property, so I built a bunch of indoor beds for vegetables, herbs, cactus, and flowers) with dirt have traces of this green stuff forming in their dirt. So far all plants appear fine, and all are flourishing.

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Horseshoe Efland, NC(Zone 7a) May 06, 2011

Daniellenerik and clonearmy, if it were me I wouldn't worry too much about it. Simple cultivation will alleviate it, breaking it up so it is more aerated. Most likely it is a heavy peat mix and is staying a bit too damp or no drainage. Clonearmy, did you put drainage holes in your containers? If not that would allow too much water to stay and also remove oxygen within the soil mix.

And no, the green stuff isn't harmful to your health. Only when it becomes super thick, stopping the absorption of water and air to the soil/plants will it be detrimental to your plants.

As for peroxide, it may help kill it but it will also kill any beneficial bacteria/organisms in your soil, which is not good. Remember, feed the soil, not the plants, as the soil needs life, too.

Hope this helps.
Shoe

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