That's not a very clear picture. I'd guess that it might be one of the many different kinds of slime mold, but that image just isn't very helpful.

is the mulch/compost new???

it looks like you watered.. right around the plant.. in a circle.. and the stuff is within that circle..

if so ... its just something that is decomposing the mulch of compost ... and it was triggered by the water ...

its part of the natural decaying process ...

mold... fungus... whatever.. its natures way.. and has no impact on the plant ..

if i am right.. you can pull back the mulch.. and it will come with it... then just put it back.. you will have disturbed it ...

ken

They were actually on the topsoil around the plant, no mulch there. We've had an enormous amount of rain this spring/early summer. They originally looked like hard little red pebbles. My camera recently broke so I was trying to use my daughter's ipod to take the photo. Was hoping someone might recognize also based on my description. Thanks for trying, anyway!

Could it be prilled fertiliser in a potting mix the plant may have been started in? Are they hard to the touch, gelatinous? Sometimes things in soil mixes rise to the surface when watered. Are/were they perfectly round?

I started the plant from seed directly in the garden. They were not perfectly round. They kind of reminded me of Nerds candy only slightly bigger. Thanks for trying to figure it out with me!