Loading...
Mushrooms in Yard

Mushrooms in Yard: Causes and Removal

Mushrooms are caused by tree leaves or decaying wood in your yard. It also indicates that your yard has a lot of organic matter in its soil. Wet, humid weather that prevails for a prolonged period also causes the growth of mushrooms. Certain mushrooms help break down the organic matter and make your soil more productive. However, some others can be toxic and have the ability to damage localized areas of grass, hence should be removed.

Lawn care is all in the details, and we take care of every single one to give you the lawn of your dreams. Contact us today!

What are the Causes of Mushrooms on Lawn?

During warm, wet, and humid weather conditions, mushrooms tend to emerge out of the blue. Mushrooms are majorly caused by lack of sunlight, poor drainage, and prolonged moisture through grass clippings, lawn thatch, fallen leaves, and your pet’s waste. 

While the underground fungus produces mushrooms, its primary function is creating spores that help the plant spread even further in your lawn.

How does Rain Affect the Mushrooms on the Lawn?

As most fungi thrive on moisture, it is typical to find mushrooms growing in mulch, turf or your landscape during wet weather. When the weather is cloudy, there is a lot of shade in your garden or landscape. At this time, moisture and rich organic material in the soil combine to grow mushrooms. 

After a long rainy day or night, you will probably come across mushrooms blooming in your yard, spreading their spores into the air. But they will also go away when the soil dries up or the sun comes out, discouraging the shade.

However, you can consider changing the conditions in your landscape to prevent mushrooms from appearing often. Standing water, compacted soil, dead roots underground, and shade are some conditions that should be decreased to keep mushrooms in check.

Is Growing Mushrooms in the Yard Good or Bad?

Mushrooms, the reproductive structures produced by fungi, thrive in warm, humid, and rainy summers. While some might think that they are a good sign, others may call them toxic. Let’s see what the certified arborists of Eden have to say.

Mushrooms in the Yard

  • Mushrooms in your garden are a good sign since it reflects that the soil in your landscape is living and doing its job. Even though some might think that all mushrooms are toxic, the ones living on your lawn are usually harmless.
  • Mushrooms are a sign of healthy soil. They stimulate microbial activity and break down organic debris, from grass clippings to dead tree roots. They make your landscape a richer, deeper green space while releasing plant nutrients. 
  • However, there is a special case when the fungi ‘hyphae’ can prevent air and water from reaching the roots of the grass, causing the lush green yard to turn brown. These fungi are known as “Fairy Ring” that may occur in older lawns but are quite rare to grow in new home lawns. A fairy ring is a type of fungus that can affect your soil and damage or darken the color of your turf. In general, there are three types of fairy rings, only one of which produces mushrooms.

Are Mushrooms a Sign of a Healthy Lawn?

Mushrooms are considered a sign of a healthy lawn since it portrays that the soil has been doing its job, the lawn ecosystem is balanced, and the fungi are working beneath the surface. These mushrooms help the soil retain water, deposit nutrients into the soil, and improve the soil’s structure, thus, keeping the soil ecosystem balanced.

Are the Mushrooms that Grow in the Lawn Poisonous?

Lawn mushrooms are usually not poisonous, but you should be completely sure about if it is edible before consuming any. Even though only 3% of known mushroom varieties are poisonous, it is better to avoid eating mushrooms without having information about them.

To avoid confusion or keep track of the types of mushrooms growing in your yard, you can always reach out to the experts and certified arborists of Eden for a quick assessment of your lawn mushrooms.

Should You Remove Mushrooms from Your Lawn?

You can consider removing mushrooms from your yard if their growth damages localized areas of your lawn grass. Moreover, apart from ruining your landscape’s appearance, aura and persona, they can be a threat to your child or pet. 

Mushrooms in the lawn

Note that the fungi, especially the big white mushrooms in the yard, might appeal to kids. So, it is better to prevent accidents in case there are toxic mushrooms in your yard.

What Should You Do to Avoid Mushrooms in the Yard?

Eden’s certified arborists and professional landscapers have come up with several methods to change the conditions in your landscape to keep the mushrooms from growing. 

  1. Reduce excessive moisture and ensure proper drainage – Soil with poor drainage can lead to overly wet conditions, which further increase the growth of mushrooms. If you find standing water, muddy patches or small puddles of water around your lawn, then it’s time for you to get your lawn aerated. You should also optimize your water resources and avoid overwatering your plants.

     

  2. Reduce shade in your lawn and encourage sunlight – Dark, damp patches of grass are favorable conditions for the growth of fungi or mushrooms. To alleviate this problem, you must trim or prune large trees and bushes that encourage shade. Now that more sunlight can reach your lawn, its environment becomes unfavorable for mushroom growth.

     

  3. Remove all organic matter and clean up your mulch – Any decomposing organic matter from your pet’s waste, dead tree roots to mulch retains moisture which becomes a food source for mushrooms. Dethatch your lawn areas where you can spot the mushrooms. Also, consider removing any grass clippings you find during mowing. 

What Tools can be Used to Get Rid of Mushrooms in Yard?

Lawn mushrooms are not that hard to get rid of. With the use of certain tools and materials, you can eradicate them.

  1. Small spade – Spade can be used to dig or pull out the mushroom along with its base. Refrain yourself from just plucking the mushroom using its head.

     

  2. Spray bottle – You can consider using mild fungicides using a spray bottle for even distribution.

     

  3. Plastic bag – This material must be used to discard the mushrooms after pulling them out from your lawn.

     

  4. Mild soap-and-water solution – Instead of using strong or harmful fungicides, you can opt for DIY fungicides using dish detergent to avoid damaging your lawn grass. However, sometimes strong fungicides are used if pesky mushrooms reside in your lawn.

To conclude, warm, wet, and humid weather conditions, along with organic matter, causes mushrooms to grow. You can get rid of mushrooms using a spade and mild DIY fungicides. Also, some mushrooms are considered beneficial for your soil’s ecosystem.

Identifying and handling toxic mushrooms needs a professional’s assistance. Contact Eden today to engage with their certified arborists and acquire lawn inspection services.

Lawn care is all in the details, and we take care of every single one to give you the lawn of your dreams. Contact us today!

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments