Posted on January 4, 2024 by Lawn Doctor
As delicious as mushrooms are, you shouldn’t pick the first ones you see in your yard and fry them up for dinner. Some mushrooms are safe to eat and are a great food source, but others are poisonous, and distinguishing between the two is often difficult. For instance, Conocybe filaris is a mushroom you might find on your lawn, but it could be deadly if consumed. Understandably, many homeowners don’t want mushrooms anywhere on their lawn, especially if they have kids or pets. If you want lawn mushrooms gone, Lawn Doctor can help.
Many homeowners take pride in their lush, green, mushroom-free lawns, but the presence of these fungi typically indicates that the soil is in good shape. Soil contains underground fungi. They help organic matter decompose, producing nutrients for the soil. The fungi often appear abov
e ground in the form of mushrooms when the environment is dark and damp, and they frequently emerge after a significant amount of rain. But there are certain conditions that promote the growth of mushrooms.
Mushrooms thrive on moisture, so if your lawn has poor drainage, expect the fungi to make an appearance. This is especially likely after the lawn is overwatered or heavy rain has occurred. Pooling water is one of the most significant signs of poor drainage, so note if and where it happens.
The way to fix this issue depends on the cause. For instance, compact soil, often a result of significant foot traffic or heavy items (such as cars or ride-on lawn mowers) rolling over it, could lead to poor drainage. Core aeration, which Lawn Doctor offers, can help correct this issue, but the sooner it’s done, the better. Aeration has several other benefits, including helping to improve the overall condition of your grass. Our experts can evaluate your property and determine the cause of the poor drainage that helps promote the growth of mushrooms.
A perfect blend of shade and excess moisture, ideal conditions for mushrooms, encourages these fungi to thrive. One of the best ways to provide more sunlight to your yard is to assess plant placement and their condition. For instance, pruning some tree branches might allow more sunlight to reach more of your yard. Our team members can suggest changes you may want to consider to help decrease shady spots.
Mushrooms break down organic material in your lawn and absorb its nutrients. These organic materials can include anything from grass clippings and fallen leaves to animal waste and dead tree roots. The more organic material you remove from the area, the less likely it is that mushroom growth occurs. For instance, after having a tree cut down, avoid leaving tree stumps behind, and rake up as many leaves as possible once autumn comes around. Consider having the organic material professionally removed instead of handling the task yourself.
Let’s talk more about whether mushrooms benefit your lawn. The broad answer is that it depends on the mushroom type and the condition of your yard.
As previously mentioned, mushrooms break down organic matter. This helps make your lawn more nutrient-dense, which is great for a healthy lawn. On the flip side, mushrooms are often a sign of possible drainage issues that need addressing.
The biggest issue with mushrooms is that some homeowners don’t consider them aesthetically pleasing. They can be nuisances for homeowners who aren’t fans of lawn mushrooms, and these fungi can be particularly challenging to deal with during rainy seasons.
In addition, many homeowners are concerned about children and pets ingesting the mushrooms they encounter on the lawn, especially if the mushrooms might be poisonous. Before giving children and pets access to the property, inspect the area and note where mushrooms are present. Supervise children and pets, and keep them away from those areas to prevent them from touching or eating any of the mushrooms.
Learning to recognize poisonous and edible mushrooms can also be beneficial, but some varieties look similar. Some poisonous mushrooms might resemble nonpoisonous varieties. For instance, the white button mushrooms in the produce section at the supermarket are a delicious food source. However, they look remarkably similar to Death Angel (aka Destroying Angel) mushrooms, which are poisonous.
The good news is that lawn mushrooms are usually easy to remove. It’s best to extract them as soon as you see them. They appear frequently after heavy rains, so consider inspecting your lawn after each rain event and removing any mushrooms you find.
After putting on thick gloves, pull out any mushrooms you find on your lawn, or use a trowel to dig out as much of each one as possible. Never throw them in the compost pile or elsewhere in your garden. Don’t toss them into the garbage can without sealing them in a bag as mushroom spores easily float through the air, landing elsewhere on your lawn and worsening the existing problem.
Eco-friendly dog waste bags are typically the ideal size to hold mushrooms you collect and are especially useful if you live in an area that imposes a plastic bag ban. Don’t remove your gloves until you toss the sealed bag into the trash, particularly if you have any reason to think the mushrooms are poisonous.
Next, mix dish detergent with water to create a homemade fungicide, and put it in a spray bottle. After removing each mushroom, spray a few drops of the mixture onto the area to discourage future mushroom growth.
The best way to stop mushrooms from growing on your lawn is to determine the reason they’re growing there in the first place. However, as simple as this might seem, multiple causes may be contributing to the problem.
If you want a mushroom-free yard, give Lawn Doctor a call. Our professional team members can evaluate the conditions and determine the reasons mushrooms are popping up more frequently. We can also help devise a plan to decrease the chances of them showing up again in the future.
Call Lawn Doctor if you’re tired of seeing mushrooms sprouting on your lawn. Our team members have extensive experience handling a range of yard issues, and they know the best solutions. Whether you need assistance with mushroom removal and prevention, aeration, tree and shrub care, mosquito and tick control or any other lawn problem, Lawn Doctor is here to help.
Contact Lawn Doctor to help care for your lawn when you can’t.
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