Why are there mushrooms growing in my lawn?
What are they?
Mushrooms are naturally occurring fungi that abundantly appear when they have great conditions to grow. If there is the presence of abundant moisture (usually after an extended rainy period and cool weather), that’s very conducive to mushroom growth. Decaying organic matter in the soil will cause you to see mushrooms popping up like your own little Smurf Village. Organic matter is found in soil of healthy lawns. As organic matter like leaves, bark, tree roots, animal waste, and grass clippings decompose in the soil, these fungi naturally occur.
Should I be concerned?
Mushrooms are, for the most part, harmless and even beneficial. The main concern of most property owners are that mushrooms are poisonous and pose a risk to dogs or toddlers that may take a taste of a few. The good thing is that the vast majority of lawn mushrooms aren’t poisonous. A few will cause temporary sickness and fewer are truly poisonous.
Can I get rid of them?
It’s not possible to eliminate mushroom growth in your lawn. There is always something decaying in soil. Removing all of that decomposing organic matter would actually be detrimental to the lawn anyway. Fungicides are expensive and would also kill off beneficial fungi, so that is not a viable option as well.“So what do I do?” There is only one practical method to remove mushrooms from a lawn and that is mechanical removal. This includes mowing, raking, pulling, kicking, or practicing your golf swing. Removal of mushrooms is only a consideration if they are identified as a poisonous variety, which is unlikely. Resources can be found online such as this website. You can also consult with the extension office at your local university.As conditions change, the mushrooms will disappear. Since they need moisture to grow, as the area dries out mushrooms will disappear. Until then, have fun practicing your golf swing removing them!If you have any lawn concerns for items we can take care of, please don’t hesitate to contact us.