John Miller
Mushrooms in your lawn can be unsightly, but they are a sign of healthy soil. However, they can be dangerous to pets, so it is important to know how to get rid of them. While some recommend simply mowing over them or cutting off their heads, others suggest natural remedies such as spraying them with a mixture of dish soap and water, or baking soda and water. You can also prevent mushrooms from growing by reducing shade, improving drainage, and removing debris and dead grass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prevention | Decrease shade in problem areas |
| Avoid compacted soil | |
| Minimize debris like old trees and pet waste | |
| Dethatch your lawn | |
| Natural ways to kill mushrooms | Pluck them from the ground and dispose of them in a sealed plastic bag |
| Pour soapy water over the mushrooms | |
| Baking soda and water mixture | |
| Boiling water | |
| Horticultural vinegar | |
| Nitrogen-based fertilizer |
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What You'll Learn
Reducing shade and improving drainage
Mushrooms thrive in areas with high moisture and low light. To prevent mushrooms from growing in your lawn, you can reduce shade and improve drainage.
Reducing Shade
Mushrooms prefer shaded areas. To reduce shade, trim back or thin out branches on nearby trees and shrubs to let additional sunlight through.
Improving Drainage
Mushrooms are more likely to grow in areas with poor drainage. To improve drainage, aerate your lawn. You can buy or rent a Yard Butler tool, which pulls narrow, cylindrical plugs of soil out of the grass every couple of inches, allowing better air circulation and drainage. You can also use a hand aerator to aerate your lawn and improve drainage.
In addition to aerating your lawn, you can also dethatch your lawn to improve drainage. Excess thatch can weaken your lawn and absorb moisture, creating an inviting environment for mushrooms.
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Using baking soda and water
Mushrooms in your lawn can be a source of anxiety, especially if you have pets or young children. While there are many ways to get rid of them, some methods can be harmful to your grass and dangerous for pets.
To make the baking soda solution, mix one to two tablespoons of baking soda with one gallon (or one liter) of water. You can either pour the solution directly onto the mushrooms from a bucket or transfer it to a spray bottle for more targeted application. Be sure to aerate the area around the mushrooms first so that the water drains well into the soil.
After applying the baking soda solution, give it a few days to settle into the soil. Then, rake the mushrooms into the dirt and dispose of them in a sealed plastic bag to prevent the spores from spreading.
While the baking soda method is effective, it may need to be repeated if new mushrooms start to grow in the treated area. Additionally, use caution when applying the solution, as too much baking soda can raise the pH of the soil to a level that is unsuitable for grass growth.
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Applying soapy water
To make a soapy water mixture, you will need dish soap, water, and a container such as a bucket or a spray bottle. The general ratio is 2 tablespoons of dish soap for every gallon of water. However, some sources suggest using 1 tablespoon of dish soap for 3 gallons of water or 3 tablespoons for 2 gallons of water. It is important to use a mild dish soap or detergent rather than a strong laundry detergent, as the latter can damage your turfgrass.
Before applying the soapy water, you should aerate the soil around the mushrooms by poking holes about 6 inches deep and 12 inches apart. This can be done with a screwdriver, aerating shoes, or even soccer cleats. The aeration process helps the water drain into the soil more effectively.
Once the holes are poked, you can fill them with the soapy water mixture. Make sure to pour or spray the mixture directly onto the mushrooms, targeting the aerated sections around them. It is important to wear gloves while handling the mushrooms to prevent any potential spore contact with your skin.
To completely get rid of the mushrooms, repeat the process of applying the soapy water twice daily for about seven days. This consistent application will ensure that you kill not only the mushrooms but also the underlying fungal structures.
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Removing debris and dead organic material
Mushrooms are the reproductive part of fungi that live in the soil. They thrive in moist, shaded areas with organic material. Mushrooms are not harmful to your lawn, but the conditions that invite mushrooms can also bring in other lawn fungi that may be harmful. Therefore, it is important to prevent mushrooms from appearing by changing some of the conditions of your yard.
Additionally, you can minimize debris like old trees and pet waste. If there was a tree in your yard, even if the stump is gone, the dead roots underground may encourage mushroom growth. Keep the area well-raked and aerated to improve drainage. Also, clean up after your pets regularly, as animal waste left on the lawn can bring out mushrooms.
If you want to prevent mushrooms from growing in your lawn, you should also address other favourable conditions such as excess moisture and shade. Mushrooms need moisture to grow, so optimizing your lawn's watering schedule and ensuring proper drainage can reduce mushroom problems. Mushrooms also prefer shaded areas, so decreasing shade in problem areas can help keep mushrooms in check.
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Using a pet-safe nitrogen-based fertiliser
Mushrooms in lawns can be a source of concern, especially if you have children or pets, as some species are toxic. While mushrooms themselves are not a problem, the conditions that invite mushrooms can also bring in less friendly lawn fungi.
One way to kill mushrooms in your lawn is to use a pet-safe nitrogen-based fertiliser. Mushrooms thrive in environments with rich, organic material in the soil. A nitrogen-based fertiliser will quicken the decomposition of organic matter, leaving the mushrooms with nothing to feed off of.
To effectively use a nitrogen-based fertiliser, it is important to first remove the mushrooms from the ground as soon as you see the caps appear. Simply pulling them out of the ground may not kill the entire mushroom, as they often have a much larger structure beneath the surface. Thus, it is crucial to act quickly and remove the mushrooms before they release their spores, which can lead to more mushrooms. Wear gloves when handling the mushrooms, and dispose of them in a sealed plastic bag to prevent the spores from spreading.
When choosing a nitrogen-based fertiliser, opt for a pet-safe option that is organic or low in toxicity. These fertilisers typically contain a high percentage of nitrogen, such as 20% or 9%, and a lower amount of potash, like 3% or 1%. It is recommended to follow the specific instructions on the product label. In general, granular fertilisers should be watered into the lawn, and pets should be kept off the treated area until it is completely dry to prevent accidental ingestion. For foliar spray applications, allow the solution to dry before letting pets back onto the lawn.
By combining the physical removal of mushrooms and the use of a pet-safe nitrogen-based fertiliser, you can effectively kill mushrooms in your lawn while keeping your furry friends safe.
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Frequently asked questions
Some natural ways to kill mushrooms in lawns include using baking soda and water, dish soap and water, or soapy water.
Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 gallon of water. Pour the mixture onto the mushrooms or transfer it to a spray bottle for easier application.
Yes, several pet-safe methods exist to kill mushrooms. These include physically removing the mushrooms by plucking or mowing them, improving drainage and sunlight in your lawn, and using pet-safe nitrogen-based fertilizers.
To prevent mushrooms from growing, reduce shade in problem areas by trimming branches on nearby trees and shrubs. Improve drainage by aerating your lawn and removing excess thatch and debris, such as old trees and pet waste.
Mushrooms themselves are not harmful to the grass, but they may indicate an issue with your lawn, such as compacted soil or excess moisture. Additionally, certain types of mushrooms can be poisonous to pets, so it is important to identify the mushrooms in your lawn and take necessary precautions.
