How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in Your Lawn
Lawn mushrooms are a common concern for homeowners striving to maintain a lush and healthy lawn. But while they may be a bit unsightly, it’s essential to know that lawn mushrooms aren’t all bad. They are fungi that feed off decaying organic matter in lawns. By doing this, they play an important part in breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil. But they definitely are not the most pleasant looking .
Causes of Lawn Mushrooms
Overwatering is one of the main reasons that mushrooms grow in the lawn. Mushrooms thrive in wet, damp environments, so excessive watering creates the perfect breeding ground. First things first, ensure that your watering practice is moderate and that water isn’t being over-applied to the point of saturation.
It’s also crucial to keep an eye on lawn thatch. Thatch is a layer of organic matter that occurs between the grass and the soil surface. Your mowing height can impact the level of thatch left on your lawn. Excessive thatch can create a damp environment favored by fungi. Regular dethatching can limit the buildup of organic matter which mushrooms feed on.
Maintaining the correct pH level is another important factor in preventing the mushroom invasion. Mushrooms prefer slightly acidic environments, with a pH between 6.0 to 6.5 being ideal. Regularly testing the soil pH and managing it with lime or sulfur applications can help maintain a healthier, mushroom-free environment.
How to Remove Lawn Mushrooms
A keen step is to remove those mushrooms as soon as they pop up. While this won’t kill the fungi that are producing them, it will help prevent the mushrooms from releasing more spores and reduce their number over time. Make sure to use gloves while doing so!
But what if you’ve adhered to all the key elements mentioned above and these pesky invaders still persist in your lawn? Well, it may be time to consider applying a broad-spectrum fungicide. These chemical agents can offer control for a wide variety of fungi, including the types that produce mushrooms. However, as with all chemicals used in your lawn, it’s important to use them sparingly and responsibly to avoid damaging the surrounding environment.
Preventing Lawn Mushrooms from Coming Back
Controlling lawn mushrooms isn’t a one-time task. It’s an ongoing process that requires regular monitoring and maintenance. Our lawn is a living ecosystem, and lawn mushrooms are a sign that your soil is healthy. A few mushrooms here and there shouldn’t be a cause for alarm.
Another step to preventing lawn mushrooms is to ensure your lawn is well aerated. Aerating your lawn helps by allowing it to absorb water more efficiently, thus reducing the likelihood of water-logging and mushroom growth. Aeration can be carried out in early spring or late summer, and can be as simple as using a garden fork to punch holes into your lawn, or you can use mechanical aerators for larger lawns.
Many homeowners believe that applying fungicide is an effective method to rid lawn of mushrooms. However, experts advise that these are rarely necessary or effective for treating lawn mushrooms because new mushrooms can recolonize from underground mycelium left behind.
Regular fertilization is also recommended as part of a comprehensive approach to lawn care. Healthy and well-nourished grass is your best defense against lawn mushrooms.
Are Lawn Mushrooms Poisonous?
There are thousands of types of mushrooms, and while some are poisonous, many are not. It’s best not to gamble with uncertainty when it comes to your health or that of your pets and children. Even experts sometimes have difficulty distinguishing between poisonous and non-poisonous types. The safest approach to any mushrooms growing in your lawn is to treat them as potentially dangerous.
Poisonous mushrooms, often referred to as toadstools, can cause a range of symptoms if ingested. These can include gastric upset, hallucinations, organ damage, and potentially even death. Symptoms might not appear immediately, either. In some cases, toxins from these mushrooms can accumulate over time, with symptoms manifesting days or weeks after exposure.
Even non-poisonous mushroom varieties are not entirely safe. Some individuals may have allergic reactions to substances within them, leading to serious health complications. Some mushrooms, while not harmful in themselves, can be carriers of various bacteria or other biological contaminants that can make both humans and pets ill.
It’s crucial to treat all lawn mushrooms as potentially harmful. Please don’t eat them.
Are There Any Superstitions Surrounding Lawn Mushrooms?
Lawn mushrooms have their share of superstitions attached to them. Though largely regional, such beliefs are deeply entrenched in folklore and have been passed down over generations. For instance, some cultures view the appearance of lawn mushrooms as a sign of good fortune and prosperity. The ‘fairy ring’ mushrooms, which grow in a near-perfect circular arrangement, are among the most superstitious. According to Celtic folklore, these rings serve as gateways to the fairy world, and it’s considered bad luck to destroy them.
On the other hand, several Asian cultures see mushrooms as a symbol of longevity and health. There’s a belief that certain mushroom types possess medicinal properties and can cure various ailments. In the world of superstition, those growing on your lawn might just be the universe’s healthy gift subscription to you!
Meanwhile, in some parts of Africa, the sight of lawn mushrooms could imply that the rainy season is set to begin. They are seen as an indicator of the atmospheric moisture level, thanks to their affinity for damp, shady spaces.
What time of year do lawn mushrooms grow most often?
One common contributing factor to mushroom growth is moisture. Mushrooms thrive in wet environments, hence why you usually see them popping up after rain showers or in the early dewy hours of the morning. Therefore, it would be correct to claim that the rainy or wet seasons specifically are the most common times of year for lawn mushrooms to appear. In many temperate climates, this will likely be around spring and fall, when conditions are typically more humid and less harsh than the extreme heat of summer or cold of winter. But lawn mushrooms can technically grow at any time of the year, provided they are receiving enough moisture.
Temperature is another influential factor for lawn mushrooms. Most types of mushrooms prefer cool weather and will grow best in temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme heat or freezing conditions may slow down or halt the growth of these fungi. In terms of temperature, spring and fall again typically offer the most favorable conditions for the lawn mushrooms, though this can also extend into the mild winters and early summer depending on how temperature variations occur in your specific zone and the type of sod or grass present.
An interesting fact to remember is that lawn mushrooms also feed off organic matter in your soil. If your lawn used to be the site of a tree or shrub that was removed, the decaying roots left underground could contribute to mushroom growth, regardless of the time of year.
