Why mushrooms in my yard

As mentioned fungi consumes organic matter, therefore any readily available food sources for the fungi should be limited or if possible, completely removed. To do this rake up leaves, twigs, grass cuttings and any other waste materials as soon as they appear on the lawn. If your garden has a thick layer of thatch interwoven dead grass between the grass and soil this can also contribute to growth, therefore de-thatching would be recommended.

Some waste materials will be hidden below the soils surface such as wood and large tree roots. These areas can be dug up and waste materials removed before adding fresh soil. Short grass dries faster than tall grass reducing the moisture available for mushrooms to grow. Mow the lawn regularly and limit the water applied to the soil.

If your garden is prone to retaining excess moisture an underground drainage system may be required. Before mowing it is essential to remove any existing mushrooms, raking away any remnants to prevent spores from being spread during mowing. Aeration can also be performed to improve drainage and airflow which helps to keep the soil and grass dry.

This can be done mechanically or with a garden fork. Another key ingredient for mushroom growth is shade. Cut back any overhanging branches, limbs or other obstructions to allow sunlight to reach as far as possible across all areas of the garden.

As a short term fix either a fungicide or nitrogen fertiliser can be applied, however it is likely the mushrooms will reappear later on if the original cause for their growth is not corrected. For gardens that are infested, with the majority of the lawn being affected by mushrooms, it is recommended to start from scratch. In contrast to mushrooms which feed on decomposing organic matter, harmful turf pathogens or fungus in lawns work by using the live plant as a host.

They encounter a susceptible plant and cause infection. Weak, unhealthy, or damaged grass is more likely at risk.

The healthier we tend to be, the less likely we are to get sick. Fungi can enter through plant wounds, or even natural openings. The turfgrass then becomes a host for the fungi to attack. A stronger, healthier turf can prevent bad fungi from infecting the plant while good fungi in the soil help to support the turf and outcompete the bad fungi. In a future article, we will address the topic of bad fungi in lawns.

There are very few toxic mushrooms, but those that are can be harmful to pets. The next time you see mushrooms or toadstools in the lawn, do think about whether they are bad. Think about all the good they are doing and be sure there are no inhabitants before knocking them down! Skip to main content. How-to Faq Mushrooms Problem Management. Our team works hard, so if you are met with our exceptional service from our technicians or office team members- please give them a thumbs up to make them smile or let me know through a quick email to feedback lawnsavers.

We thank you for supporting our local, family-owned business of 31 years. We genuine ly appreciate you and promise that we will do our part to ensure our mutual safety. Skip to content. January, Search for:.

Give us a call! Monday to Friday am to 5pm Give us a ring! Street Address Postal Code. Please include at least one picture close up and one from further back to provide context.

Pictures should be jpg, jpeg, gif, or png and less than 20MB in file size each. Drop files here or. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Get a FREE estimate! One of the hottest driest summers on record in with long spells of grass-killing heat and drought. Read more here in our summary blog. A bumper crop of crabgrass that germinated in the perfect rainless storm.

Expect even more this summer in ! Chinch Bug numbers in were record breaking and persisted through the dry heat they love, secretly killing lawns while dormant!