Sarah Brown
Mushrooms in your lawn can be unsightly and may be harmful to pets and children. While mushrooms indicate that your soil is healthy, dense with rich nutrients, and of good quality, you may want to prevent them from growing or remove them. Mushrooms thrive in damp, dark environments, so one way to prevent them from growing is to ensure your yard is well-lit and free of standing water. You can also try planting mushrooms' natural predators, such as slugs and snails, in your garden. To remove mushrooms, you can pick them by hand, mow over them, or use a fungicide. However, be cautious when handling mushrooms, as some may be poisonous, and avoid using strong chemicals, especially if you have pets or children.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of mushrooms in the lawn | Mixture of moisture, shade, cloudy weather, and rich organic material in the soil |
| Prevention | Decrease shade in problem areas, avoid compacted soil, keep the lawn clean and well-lit, avoid overwatering |
| Treatment | Pick mushrooms by hand, mow over them, use a fungicide, sprinkle coffee grounds, use natural alternatives like vinegar and dish soap |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the mushrooms and their cause
Mushrooms are the reproductive part of fungi that live in the soil. They spread by dropping spores into the air, which can lie dormant in the soil for a long time. When the conditions are right, they grow quickly, sometimes within a day or two.
There are over 15,000 types of fungi that produce mushrooms, but some of the most common ones you'll see in your lawn include:
- Small, white-grey blobs that grow in spring or fall. They have a cap of up to 3 inches in width and a height of 3 inches, with gills underneath the cap that turn from deep pink to dark brown as the mushroom ages.
- Mushrooms that look like footballs without stems, gills, or caps. They can grow up to a foot across with a smooth, white surface and are often found in fairy rings.
- Mushrooms with small caps that tend to multiply quickly after thunderstorms due to increased moisture spiking nitrogen levels in the soil.
To identify the specific types of mushrooms in your lawn, you can purchase a book on mycology or post pictures on forums such as r/mycology or other mushroom-related subreddits or Instagram accounts. Be sure to include information about your location and the types of trees in your yard to help with identification.
The presence of mushrooms in your lawn is often a sign of healthy soil as they indicate the presence of rich, organic material that the fungi are breaking down. Mushrooms tend to thrive in damp, shady areas with standing water or compacted soil, and they can also be encouraged by decomposing tree stumps or roots underground.
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Remove them by hand or with a lawnmower
Mushrooms in your lawn are a sign of healthy soil. They are the reproductive part of fungi that live in the soil, breaking down organic material and making your soil more productive. However, they can be unsightly and may be harmful if eaten.
If you want to get rid of mushrooms from your lawn without using chemicals, you can simply remove them by hand or with a lawnmower. Mushrooms are easy to pluck out by hand as they have shallow roots. However, this method can be tedious and time-consuming, especially if you have a lot of mushrooms. Make sure you don't touch or eat any of the mushrooms, as some may be poisonous. If there are too many mushrooms to pick out by hand, you can mow over them with your lawnmower. This will chop them up into small pieces and make them easier to pick up. Just be sure to dispose of the mushrooms properly so that they don't grow back.
To prevent mushrooms from growing back, you can rake your lawn after mowing to remove dead organic matter that mushrooms feed on. You should also keep your yard clean and free of debris, maintain a healthy lawn, and avoid overwatering. Mushrooms thrive in damp, dark places, so increasing sunlight and improving drainage in your yard can help prevent their growth.
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Use natural alternatives like baking soda, dish soap or vinegar
Mushrooms in your lawn are a sign of healthy soil, but they can be an eyesore and may be harmful. Mushrooms thrive in damp, dark environments, so it's important to address any drainage issues and remove decaying organic matter. Here are some natural alternatives to treat mushrooms in your lawn:
Baking Soda
Baking soda raises the pH of the soil, creating an unfavourable environment for mushrooms. Mix equal parts baking soda and water inside a spray bottle. Aerate the soil around the mushrooms and spray the solution directly onto them. Be careful not to overwater, as grass will not grow in high-pH soil. Repeated applications may be necessary.
Dish Soap
Dish soap acts as a mild fungicide. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of dish soap with 3 gallons of water. Pour the soapy water over the mushrooms, ensuring it drains into the soil. This method may need to be repeated several times.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural fungicide that will kill mushrooms. Mix 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar and spray directly onto the mushrooms. Be cautious, as vinegar will kill anything it comes into contact with. Wear protective clothing and gloves when handling vinegar.
While these natural alternatives can help treat mushrooms, prevention is key. Reduce shade in problem areas by trimming trees and shrubs, improve drainage, and regularly clean up decaying organic matter. These steps will help create an environment less conducive to mushroom growth.
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Improve drainage and sunlight to prevent growth
Mushrooms thrive in damp, dark places, so one way to prevent them from growing is to improve drainage and sunlight in your yard.
If there are tree stumps or roots underground, mushrooms will continue to sprout until the wood is gone. If the stump is still there, you can have it removed. If it's gone, keep the area well-raked and aerated to improve drainage. You can also fill in the area with new topsoil.
If your lawn has standing water or remains damp for long periods after rain, your soil may be compacted. Avoid overwatering your lawn, and consider switching to watering in the morning. You could also blow-dry your lawn after it rains.
Mushrooms also like shade, so trim back or thin out branches on nearby trees or shrubs to let in more sunlight.
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Supervise pets and children to prevent ingestion
Mushrooms in your lawn can be unsightly, but they can also be dangerous if ingested by children or pets. While most mushrooms that grow on lawns are harmless, some contain dangerous toxins that can cause severe illness or even death. Even non-poisonous mushrooms can cause digestive problems if consumed, especially in large quantities. Therefore, it is crucial to supervise children and pets to prevent them from ingesting mushrooms in your lawn. Here are some steps you can take to ensure their safety:
Inspect your lawn regularly: Before allowing children and pets access to the lawn, thoroughly inspect the area for any mushrooms. Note the locations of any mushrooms present. This will help you keep children and pets away from those areas and prevent them from coming into contact with or ingesting the mushrooms.
Supervise children and pets: When children or pets are outdoors, ensure they are always supervised. This will allow you to keep a close eye on their activities and prevent them from touching or ingesting any mushrooms.
Learn to recognize poisonous mushrooms: While distinguishing between poisonous and edible mushrooms can be challenging, it is beneficial to educate yourself on the key characteristics. Look at the mushroom's height, diameter, stem, and cap color, and note any distinct markings. Compare these features with online photos and resources to help identify potential toxicity.
Remove mushrooms promptly: If you find mushrooms in your lawn, remove them immediately. Pull them out from the base to reduce the spores' ability to disperse. Dispose of the mushrooms in a sealed bag in the trash. Do not compost them, as spores can survive and spread. Remember to wear gloves when handling mushrooms to avoid any potential skin irritation.
Address the underlying causes: Mushrooms thrive in damp, shady environments with poor drainage. Improve lawn drainage by aerating the soil and reducing any water pooling. Trim back bushes and tree limbs to increase sunlight exposure and create less favourable conditions for mushroom growth.
By following these steps, you can effectively supervise children and pets to prevent the ingestion of mushrooms in your lawn while also addressing the underlying factors that contribute to mushroom growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms grow in damp, shady spots, so to prevent them from growing, reduce the amount of shade in your lawn and avoid overwatering.
Mushrooms can be removed by hand or by mowing over them and raking them out. You can also use a fungicide, but this may harm other plants and pets. Natural alternatives include vinegar, dish soap, and coffee grounds.
Mushrooms are a sign of healthy soil. They grow in soil that is dense with rich nutrients, breaking down organic matter and making the soil more productive.
Some mushrooms are harmless and can be eaten, while others are poisonous. If you have pets or children, it is important to remove mushrooms from your lawn to prevent them from being ingested.
