I get a lot of it in the years I add big loads of compost from the county compost center. Just grab a shovel and turn it into the dirt. No harm done. It's really just very ugly.

As I understand it, you can't do anything to prevent it except to not have any materials around that rot -- which basically means not having a garden, as I define it.

I leave it. I think it's kind of cool, actually. Gross-looking, but cool. It's a slime mold, not a fungus.

http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/june99.html

What do you do with these? Do you just leave it or clean it up? I've read differing opinions. One opinion was to leave it because it has nutrients that plants may like. Sure looks funky, though.

Did you do anything to try to prevent them?