Mushrooms are great in some gourmet dishes, but they’re less appetizing when they sprout from the lawn you’ve spent so much time, effort, and money cultivating. But what causes mushrooms, and are they bad for your lawn? Read on for answers.
In this article:
- Conditions for growth
- Kinds of mushrooms
- Are mushrooms harmful?
- Benefits
- Best ways to get rid of mushrooms
- FAQ
Why do mushrooms grow on lawns?
Mushrooms love damp, shady, nutrient-rich environments and grow on your lawn if the following conditions are available:
Decaying wood
Mushrooms can grow in areas with decaying debris that is releasing nutrients into the soil. But remember that the nutrients are actually good for the soil and provide nourishment for lawns and plants.
Fungi produce an enzyme capable of breaking down woody materials such as tree trunks, tree leaves, decaying mulch, and twigs. Therefore you will find mushrooms in regions with hard-to-decompose organic matter.
Mycorrhiza on the lawn
Mycorrhiza is a fungus root found under the drip lines of trees. Mushrooms can indicate the presence of mycorrhiza to help the plant survive in extreme temperatures and drought.
Cool, shady, damp conditions
You frequently will see mushrooms in shady areas and during cool, rainy periods. The fungus is mostly influenced by moisture and cool temperatures.
Poor drainage
Mushrooms can also result from poor aeration due to soil compaction and poor drainage. Water retention and lack of air circulation in the soil will make the fungus active.
Excess thatch
Mushrooms can result from the build-up of excess thatch in your lawn. The fungus feeds on the decaying organic matter in the thatch.
Fertile soil
Mushrooms signify soil fertility as they cannot grow in regions with soil deficiency. You are likely to see mushrooms on your lawn if it is fertile.
Newly returfed lawns
Your newly laid lawn may have mushrooms because the harvesting and transportation of turf may lead to the sporing and growing of new mushrooms.
What are the different kinds of lawn mushrooms?
Mushrooms are reproductive fruits of different fungi present in the lawn. Usually, the fungi lay unseen in the grass, but the right combination of heavy rains, poorly drained soil and shade can make them erupt from the ground with their little umbrella-shaped caps. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.
The most common lawn mushrooms are:
- Puffballs
- Birds nest
- Stinkhorns
- Shaggy ink cap
- Meadow mushroom
- Horse
- Death cap
- Yellow bolbitius
- Ivory funnel
- Death angel
- False blewit
- Fairy ring
- Mycorrhizae
Are mushrooms harmful to lawns?
Most mushrooms are not harmful to your grass but actually signify a healthy lawn. The presence of mushrooms means there is good organic matter in the soil, which is also beneficial to grass and trees.
There are exceptions, however. Mushrooms such as fairy rings may be harmful to your lawn. These mushrooms form a thick fungal mat that prevents water from seeping into the soil, depriving grass of important nutrients. The grass in the region affected by fairy ring may die.
Fairy rings may also break down organic nutrients releasing nitrogen which will make your grass grow in giant circles with dark green rings resulting in lawn diseases.
Do mushrooms have any benefits?
Mushrooms have several benefits to both you and your lawn:
- Mushrooms are a sign that the fungi responsible for breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients are present in your lawn.
- They are a food source. Horse and Agaricus bisporus mushrooms, among others, are edible. However, some mushrooms are poisonous and look similar to edible varieties. You should NEVER collect and consume mushrooms unless you are an expert at identifying the poisonous and non-poisonous varieties.
- Mushrooms help the soil retain water with their pervasive root systems.
What is the best way to get rid of mushrooms?
Although mushrooms are not harmful to your lawn, you may not find them aesthetically pleasing and want to eliminate them. Fortunately, that’s not difficult:
- Scarify your lawn to reduce thatch which promotes the growth of mushrooms. A vertical mower is a great tool for that.
- You can also aerate the lawn to loosen the soil.
- Clear bushes and trim tree limbs to allow more sunlight onto the lawn.
- Pick up leaves, tree trunks, twigs, and animal waste to reduce the decaying matter that mushrooms thrive on.
- Mow over them, or, if there are just a handful, pick them or rake them.
- Apply commercially available fungicides.
- Apply nitrogen fertilizer to your lawn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Mushrooms can help boost your memory, reduce the risk of cancer, lower sodium intake, boost your mood, keep the bones strong, keep your heart healthy, give you energy, etc. However, some are poisonous. Never consume mushrooms from your yard unless you are an expert at identifying which varieties are poisonous and which ones are edible.
Mushrooms result from some fungus in the soil producing these reproductive structures (fruits).
The final word
The presence of mushrooms is generally a sign that a lawn has a high concentration of beneficial nutrients. You don‘t have to worry about them popping up on your lawn because they don‘t affect your grass.
Mushrooms are generally harmless to your lawn, but if they bother you and you’re in search of that lush, green aesthetic, make an appointment with a Lawn Love lawn care professional.
Main photo credit: Valeria_Morales | Pixabay
