How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in Your Lawn

While mushrooms are delicious, you shouldn’t just 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 telling them apart is often difficult. For example, Conocybe filaris is a mushroom you can find in your lawn, but it can be deadly if you consume it. Understandably, many homeowners don’t want mushrooms anywhere on their lawn, especially if they have children or pets. If you want to remove mushrooms from your lawn, Lawn Doctor can help.

Why do I have fungus on my lawn?

Many homeowners take pride in their lush, green, fungus-free lawns, but the presence of these fungi usually indicates that the soil is in good condition. The soil contains underground fungi. They help organic matter decompose, producing nutrients for the soil. The fungi often appear above the plants.

Fungi grow in the form of mushrooms in the soil when the environment is dark and moist, and usually emerge after a significant amount of rain. But there are certain conditions that favor the growth of mushrooms.

Poor drainage

Fungi thrive in moisture, so if your lawn has poor drainage, expect them to appear. This is especially likely after the lawn is overwatered or has had a lot of rain. Pooling of water is one of the biggest signs of poor drainage, so you need to watch for if and where it occurs.

How you fix this problem depends on the cause. For example, compacted soil, often as a result of significant foot traffic or heavy objects (such as cars or self-propelled lawn mowers) driving over it, can lead to poor drainage. Core aeration, offered by Lawn Doctor, can help correct this problem, but the sooner it is done, the better. Aeration has other benefits, such as helping to improve the overall condition of your lawn. Our experts can assess your property and determine the cause of poor drainage that is helping to promote fungal growth.

Lack of sunlight

A perfect combination of shade and excess moisture, ideal conditions for fungi, encourages fungus growth. One of the best ways to provide more sunlight to your garden is to evaluate the location of your plants and their condition. For example, pruning some tree branches could allow more sunlight to reach more of your garden. Our team members can suggest changes you might consider to help reduce shade spots.

Organic material

Fungi break down organic matter in your lawn and absorb its nutrients. This organic matter can include anything from grass clippings and fallen leaves to animal waste and dead tree roots. The more organic matter you remove from the area, the less likely it is that fungi will grow. For example, after cutting down a tree, avoid leaving stumps and rake up as many leaves as you can once fall arrives. Consider having a professional remove the organic matter instead of tackling the task yourself.

Are mushrooms good or bad for my lawn?

Let’s talk more about whether mushrooms are beneficial for your lawn. The general answer is that it depends on the type of mushroom and the condition of your lawn.

As mentioned above, fungi break down organic matter. This helps the grass to have more nutrients, which is great for a healthy lawn. On the other hand, fungi are often a sign of potential drainage issues that need to be addressed.

The biggest problem with mushrooms is that some homeowners do not find them aesthetically pleasing. They can be a nuisance to homeowners who do not like lawn fungi, and these fungi can be particularly difficult to control during rainy seasons.

Additionally, many homeowners are concerned about children and pets ingesting mushrooms they find in their lawns, especially if these mushrooms may be poisonous. Before allowing 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 alike. Some poisonous mushrooms can resemble non-poisonous varieties. For example, white button mushrooms from the produce section of the supermarket are a delicious food source. However, they look remarkably similar to Angel of Death (aka Destroying Angel) mushrooms, which are poisonous.

How can I get rid of fungus on my lawn?

The good news is that lawn fungus is usually easy to get rid of. It’s best to remove it as soon as you see it. It often appears after heavy rains, so consider inspecting your lawn after every rain and removing any fungus you find.

After putting on heavy gloves, dig out any mushrooms you find on your lawn or use a trowel to remove as much of each one as possible. Never throw them into the compost heap or anywhere else in your yard. Don’t just toss them into the trash without putting them in a sealed bag, as mushroom spores easily float through the air and land on other parts of your lawn, making the existing problem worse.

Eco-friendly dog ​​poop bags are often the perfect size for storing the mushrooms you collect, and are especially useful if you live in an area where plastic bags are banned. Don’t take off your gloves until you’re done throwing the sealed bag in the trash, especially if you have reason to believe the mushrooms are poisonous.

Next, mix dish soap with water to create a homemade fungicide and put it in a spray bottle. After removing each fungus, spray a few drops of the mixture on the area to prevent it from growing back.

How can I prevent fungus from growing on my lawn?

The best way to prevent fungus from growing on your lawn is to determine why it is growing there. However, as simple as this may seem, there may be multiple causes contributing to the problem.

If you want a fungus-free yard, call Lawn Doctor. Our team of professionals can assess conditions and determine the reasons why fungus is appearing more frequently. We can also help design a plan to reduce the chances of fungus appearing again in the future.

Call Lawn Doctor if you’re tired of seeing fungus sprouting on your lawn. Our team members have extensive experience handling a variety of landscaping issues and know the best solutions. Whether you need help with fungus removal and prevention, aeration, tree and shrub care, mosquito and tick control, or any other lawn problem, Lawn Doctor is here to help.