Mulch storage

Rick Kr · Dec 13, 2009

I usually keep a couple of pallets of bagged mulch around when planting trees for people.

Its now cold enough in the barn I noticed the moisture in the bags has frozen. The bags have small 1/4" holes here and there. Obviously not enough to get all the moisture out.

This got me to wondering, could I have a problem with the mulch catching fire like wet hay does?

Its not a problem to move it outside and tarp it, just didn't want to go though the extra work if I didn't have too.

Thanks,
Rick

ChrisinMO · Dec 13, 2009

Not likely to cause a fire. Hay spontaneously combusts due to bacterial action in damp parts raising the temperature to the flash point. The bacterial action is so fast due to an ideal carbon:nitrogen ratio (around 30:1). Mulch will normally have a much higher carbon:nitrogen ratio and so bacterial action will be much slower and not likely to generate enough heat to combust.

HTH

Christopher

Anonymous-0 · Dec 13, 2009

When in doubt, move it out :roll:

With my luck. I'd store it in the pond.

Dave

John S-B · Dec 13, 2009

You won't have to worry with bagged mulch on pallets. Mulch is rarely a problem unless it's fresh and in large piles like at the point of manufacture. There's usually a lot more moisture in mulch, so even if it does get hot, it has to evaporate a lot of moisture before it can burn.

Rick Kr · Dec 14, 2009

Thanks for the info.
With the warm weather, I might end up using some more of it up.

Just had to ask though, a hay barn burnt to the ground around here 2 years ago and almost took the house with it.

Rick

Mulch storage

Rick Kr

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ChrisinMO

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Anonymous-0

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John S-B

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Rick Kr

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