Why do mushrooms grow in lawns? Mushrooms often pop up in yards because they like damp, shady spots and lots of dead things to eat, like old roots, buried wood, or thick thatch. Are garden mushrooms toxic? Some garden mushrooms are not harmful, but many types are toxic and can make people or pets very sick if eaten. It is best to get rid of toadstools and other mushrooms quickly and prevent them from coming back. This guide will show you how to do lawn mushrooms removal and how to stop mushrooms growing by fixing the things that cause them.
Image Source: lawn.com.au
What Are Yard Mushrooms?
Mushrooms are the part of a fungus you can see. They are like the fruit of a plant, but for fungus. The main body of the fungus lives hidden away. It is often in the soil. This hidden body is called mycelium. It looks like tiny white threads. These threads spread out. They eat dead stuff in your yard. When the time is right, the fungus makes a mushroom. The mushroom’s job is to spread tiny spores. These spores are like seeds. They can start new fungus in other places.
Yard mushroom causes are almost always about food and water. Fungi need cool, wet places. They need things to eat. This food is dead stuff. It can be old roots under the grass. It can be pieces of wood buried there. Thick layers of dead grass on top of the soil, called thatch, can also be food. Wet soil helps the fungus grow. It helps the mushroom pop up.
Why Mushrooms Appear In Your Grass
Mushrooms are a sign. They show that your soil has a lot of fungi. This is not always bad. Fungi help break down dead things. They turn dead stuff into food for plants. They are part of nature’s cleanup crew.
But too many mushrooms can look bad. They can make you worry. Especially if you have kids or pets who might touch or eat them. Knowing why they grow helps you stop them.
Here are common yard mushroom causes:
- Wet Soil: Fungi love water. Soil that stays wet for a long time is a perfect home. This can happen after a lot of rain. Or if you water your lawn too much. Poor drainage also causes this.
- Dead Stuff: Fungi eat dead organic matter. This is the biggest reason. It can be dead tree roots under the ground. It can be old construction wood buried when the house was built. Fallen leaves left on the lawn can be food. A thick layer of thatch feeds them too.
- Shade: Mushrooms often grow in shady spots. The soil stays cooler there. It also stays wetter because the sun does not dry it out.
- Fertilizer: Some fertilizers, especially those with lots of nitrogen, can make mushrooms grow faster. They help the fungus that is already there.
- Poor Air Flow: Soil needs air. If the soil is packed down (compacted), air does not get in. This can create wet spots that fungi like.
Thinking about these points helps you figure out why you have mushrooms. Then you can fix the real problem. You do more than just pull them up.
Are Garden Mushrooms Toxic?
This is a very important question. Many types of mushrooms can grow in a yard. Some are harmless. Some are very harmful. It is very hard for most people to tell the difference. Even experts can find it tricky.
Because telling them apart is so hard, it is best to be safe. Assume any mushroom in your yard could be toxic. This is especially true if you have young children or pets. They might pick them up. They might put them in their mouths.
Symptoms of eating toxic mushrooms can be serious. They can range from stomach upset to liver damage or even death. If you think someone or a pet has eaten a yard mushroom, get help right away. Call a doctor or vet. If you can, save a piece of the mushroom. This might help figure out what kind it is.
So, yes, many garden mushrooms are toxic. Treat them with care. The safest thing is to remove them quickly and keep them away from children and pets. This is part of how to get rid of mushrooms in my yard safely. Getting rid of toadstools is key. Toadstool is just another common name for mushrooms, often used for ones that look like the classic umbrella shape, and it often suggests they might be harmful.
Finding The Causes In Your Yard
To stop mushrooms, you must find out why they are growing. Look at the spots where they grow.
- Is the ground always wet there?
- Is it a shady spot?
- Are there old tree stumps or roots nearby?
- Was there digging done there a long time ago? Maybe wood was buried?
- Is the grass very thick and spongy (lots of thatch)?
- Does water sit on the lawn after it rains? This points to poor soil drainage.
Finding the cause helps you choose the right plan. Just pulling mushrooms is like picking apples from a tree. The tree (the fungus) is still there. It will make more apples (mushrooms). You must deal with the tree.
Getting Rid Of Mushrooms You See Now
You want to get rid of the mushrooms you see. This is the first step. It makes your yard look better. It also removes the risk of someone eating a toxic one.
How To Do Lawn Mushrooms Removal
Here is how to remove the mushrooms you see:
- Pick Them: The best way is to pick them by hand. Wear gloves. This keeps your hands clean. It also keeps spores off your skin.
- Twist and Pull: Gently twist the mushroom base. Then pull it up. Try to get the whole thing. The cap and the stem.
- Use a Shovel or Rake: For many mushrooms, you can use a small shovel or a rake. Scoop them up carefully. Try not to break them up too much.
- Bag Them: Put the picked mushrooms in a bag. A plastic grocery bag works fine. Tie the bag shut.
- Throw Them Away: Put the tied bag in your outside trash can. Do not put them in your compost pile. The spores can spread there. They could start growing in your compost.
- Clean Up: Wipe off tools you used. Wash your hands well, even if you wore gloves.
Do this as soon as you see new mushrooms. Do it before they open up fully. This helps stop them from spreading spores. Picking them is a quick fix. But remember, the fungus is still in the soil. More mushrooms might grow.
Stopping Mushrooms From Growing Again
Removing the mushrooms you see is easy. Stopping new ones from growing is harder. You must fix the reasons why they are there. This is how to stop mushrooms growing in the long run. It is about preventing lawn fungus.
Fix Water Problems
Water is a big reason mushrooms grow. Fungi need wet soil.
- Water Less: Check how much you water your lawn. Does the soil stay wet for days? You might be watering too much. Or watering too often. Water deeply but less often. Let the top soil dry out a bit between waterings.
- Water at the Right Time: Water early in the morning. This gives the lawn time to dry before night. Watering at night means the lawn stays wet longer.
- Fix Leaks: Check sprinklers and hoses. Fix any leaks right away. Leaks make small spots that are always wet.
- Improve Soil Drainage: This is very important for stopping lawn fungus. If water sits on your lawn, the soil is not draining well.
How To Improve Soil Drainage
Poor drainage is a major yard mushroom cause. Here are ways to help water drain better:
- Aerate Your Lawn: Aerating makes small holes in the soil. Use a garden fork for small spots. Or rent a machine for a whole lawn. These holes let air and water move down into the soil. It also helps break up packed dirt.
- Add Organic Matter: Mix in compost or other good stuff into the soil. This makes the soil structure better. It helps water soak in and move through. Do this when starting a new lawn or fixing bare spots. For an existing lawn, topdressing with a thin layer of compost can help over time.
- Check for Hard Layers: Sometimes a hard layer of soil forms under the top soil. This is called a hardpan. Water cannot get past it. You might need a special tool to break this up.
- Change the Grade: If water pools in dips, you might need to change the slope of the ground. Make it slope away from your house. This is a bigger job.
- Install Drainage Systems: For very wet yards, you might need to put in pipes or gravel to carry water away. This is a major fix.
Improving soil drainage takes time. But it makes your lawn much healthier. It also helps prevent lawn fungus.
Deal With Dead Stuff
Remember, fungi eat decaying matter lawn. Getting rid of this food source helps stop them.
- Remove Old Wood: If you know there is buried wood or old roots, removing them is the best fix. This can be a lot of work. Especially for large roots or stumps. You might need to dig them out. Or use special products that help them rot away faster (but this takes a long time).
- Rake Leaves: Do not let thick layers of leaves sit on your lawn. Rake them up. Put them in a compost pile far from your lawn. Or throw them away.
- Manage Thatch: Thatch is a layer of dead grass stems and roots between the green grass and the soil. A little thatch is okay. Too much (more than half an inch) is food for fungus. You can de-thatch your lawn. This is done with a special rake or machine. Do this in the spring or fall.
- Remove Old Mulch or Wood Chips: If mushrooms are growing in mulch beds near the lawn, refresh the mulch. Remove the old, wet, decaying layer. Add fresh mulch.
Removing the food helps the fungus die back or move on.
Let Air and Sun In
Fungi like damp, shady, still places.
- Prune Trees and Bushes: Trim branches that hang over your lawn. This lets in more sunlight. More sun helps the soil surface dry out faster. It also improves air flow.
- Mow Regularly: Keeping your grass at the right height helps. Do not let it get too long. Very long grass can stay wet longer. Do not cut off too much at once though. Only cut off the top third of the grass blade each time.
Try Other Methods (Use with Care)
Some products can help kill the fungus directly.
- Fungicides: There are products you can spray on your lawn. These are called fungicides. They can kill the fungus causing the mushrooms. But they might not kill all of it. The fungus might come back. Using fungicides is a short-term fix. It does not fix why the fungus is growing. You must fix the wet soil or dead stuff problem too. Use fungicides carefully. Follow all directions on the bottle. They can harm other helpful things in the soil. They can also be bad for pets or people if not used right.
- Natural Sprays: Some people try sprays made of baking soda or vinegar mixed with water. These might change the soil surface a bit. They might make it harder for mushrooms to pop up right there. But these are often not very strong. They don’t fix the root cause.
Always try fixing the cause first. Use chemicals only if really needed. And use them safely.
Special Mushroom Problems: Fairy Rings
Sometimes mushrooms grow in a circle. This is called a Fairy ring. Old stories said fairies danced there. The circle gets bigger each year.
What Are Fairy Rings?
A Fairy ring is made by a fungus growing in the soil. The fungus starts in the center. It spreads outward in a circle. As it grows, it eats the dead stuff in the soil. The edge of the ring is where the fungus is most active. This is where the mushrooms pop up. The grass at the edge might be darker green. This is because the fungus releases food for the grass as it eats dead stuff. Inside the ring, the grass might look bad or even die. This happens when the fungus is very thick. It can make the soil not take in water well.
Getting Rid of Fairy Rings
Fairy rings can be hard to get rid of. The fungus lives deep in the soil.
- Break Up the Soil: The best way is to break up the ground inside and around the ring. Use a garden fork or a machine that pulls out soil plugs (a core aerator). Punch many holes, about 6-8 inches deep. This helps water get into the soil where the fungus is. It helps the fungus break down faster.
- Water Well: After aerating, water the area deeply. Keep doing this often. This helps break down the fungus.
- Remove Mushrooms: Pick the mushrooms as they pop up. Put them in a bag and throw them away. This stops them from spreading spores.
- Add Water and Fertilizer: If the grass inside the ring looks bad, water it extra. You can also add some nitrogen fertilizer. This helps the grass recover.
- Use Fungicides: Some strong fungicides can help with Fairy rings. They need to soak deep into the soil. You might need to water them in after spraying. This is a bigger job. It might be best to call a lawn expert for help with this.
Fairy rings can take a long time to go away. Sometimes years. Fixing the soil and watering helps the most.
Keeping Mushrooms Away For Good
Once you have dealt with the mushrooms and started fixing the causes, you need to keep up the work. Preventing lawn fungus is an ongoing thing.
Good Lawn Care Helps
A healthy lawn is less likely to have mushroom problems.
- Mow Right: Keep your mower blades sharp. Cut grass at the right height for your type of grass. Do not cut off too much at once.
- Water Smart: Only water when the grass needs it. Water deeply. Water early in the day.
- Feed Your Lawn: Use the right fertilizer at the right time. This keeps your grass strong. Strong grass can fight off problems better.
- Control Thatch: Check your thatch layer every year. De-thatch if it is too thick.
- Aerate Yearly: Aerating every year or two helps keep the soil healthy. It prevents packed dirt. It helps water drain well.
Watch For Problems
Keep an eye on your yard. Look for wet spots. Look for areas where water pools. Watch for signs of decaying matter lawn. Fix small problems before they become big ones.
- Are there tree roots sticking out? Can you grind them down or remove them?
- Did you cut down a tree? Are there old roots still under the ground?
- Is there construction debris buried in a spot?
Addressing these potential yard mushroom causes stops fungi from having a food source.
Summarizing How To Stop Mushrooms
Getting rid of mushrooms is a two-step process.
Step 1: Remove the mushrooms you see.
Step 2: Fix the reasons why they grew there.
| Problem (Why Mushrooms Grow) | Fix (How to Stop Them) |
|---|---|
| Wet Soil / Poor Drainage | Improve soil drainage (aerate, add compost) |
| Too Much Watering | Water less often, water in the morning |
| Decaying Matter (Wood, Roots) | Remove buried wood/roots, manage thatch |
| Lots of Shade | Prune trees/bushes for more sun and air |
| Packed Soil | Aerate your lawn |
| Fairy Rings | Break up soil, water deeply, remove rings |
This table gives a quick look at the main issues and their fixes. Focusing on these helps you do lawn mushrooms removal and prevent them long-term.
Are All Mushrooms Bad?
No, not all fungi are bad for your lawn. Many fungi are helpful. They break down dead stuff. They help turn it into food for plants. Some fungi even help plants get water and nutrients from the soil.
The mushrooms you see are just a small part of the fungus world in your soil. Most of it is the helpful mycelium network.
However, the mushrooms you see can be risky because of toxicity. And too much of certain fungi can cause problems, like thick Fairy rings that harm the grass.
So, while the fungi themselves are often good, the mushrooms popping up can be a problem to manage.
Common Questions About Yard Mushrooms
Here are answers to questions people often ask about mushrooms in their yards.
Are the mushrooms growing in my yard edible?
No. Do not eat any mushroom you find growing in your yard. Many yard mushrooms are toxic. It is very hard to know which ones are safe without being a mushroom expert. It is not worth the risk.
If I just mow over the mushrooms, does that work?
Mowing over them cuts off the tops. This stops them from spreading spores right then. It also makes them less visible. But it does not kill the fungus in the soil. New mushrooms will likely grow back. You still need to fix the cause.
Does picking the mushrooms kill the fungus?
No. Picking the mushroom is like picking an apple. The tree (the fungus) is still alive. It will make more apples (mushrooms) when it is ready. You must deal with the fungus in the soil.
Will mushrooms spread to my garden plants?
The types of fungi that cause lawn mushrooms usually eat dead wood or grass roots. They are not likely to hurt your living garden plants. They are different from fungi that cause plant diseases. However, if you have a lot of decaying matter near your garden, you might see mushrooms there too.
How long will mushrooms keep growing?
Mushrooms usually pop up when it is wet and mild. After a lot of rain, or when the weather is cool and damp. When the weather turns hot and dry, they usually stop appearing. But the fungus is still in the soil. It will make mushrooms again when conditions are right.
Can I use lime to get rid of mushrooms?
Adding lime changes the soil’s pH level. This might make the soil less good for some fungi. But it is not a direct way to kill the fungus or stop mushrooms. And adding too much lime can hurt your grass. It is better to fix the drainage and remove dead stuff.
Are mushrooms a sign of healthy soil?
They can be! Fungi are important helpers in soil. They break down dead stuff. They help make nutrients for plants. Seeing a few mushrooms might mean you have good soil life. But too many, or large rings, often point to excess moisture or lots of buried wood that needs attention.
My dog keeps eating the mushrooms! What do I do?
This is a serious risk because are garden mushrooms toxic is a real concern. Remove all mushrooms from your yard daily. Pick them as soon as you see them. Put them in a tied bag and in the trash. Watch your dog closely when they are outside. If you think your dog ate a mushroom, call your vet right away. You must be very careful about get rid of toadstools (and other mushrooms) if you have pets.
Can I pour bleach or vinegar on them?
Do not pour bleach or strong vinegar on mushrooms in your lawn. These things can kill the grass around the mushrooms. They can also harm the soil. They might kill the mushroom cap, but they will not kill the fungus deep in the soil. It is not a safe or effective way to stop them long-term.
Should I dig up my whole lawn?
No, usually you do not need to dig up your entire lawn. This is a big job. It is expensive. It is better to find the specific problem spots. Fix the drainage there. Remove the dead material there. Aerating and de-thatching the whole lawn helps its health but you don’t need to start over unless there are very big problems like buried construction waste all over.
Final Thoughts on Yard Mushrooms
Mushrooms in your yard show that fungi are at work. They are often eating something dead under the ground. They pop up when the soil is wet.
Getting rid of the mushrooms you see is easy. It removes the risk of them being eaten.
Stopping them from coming back means fixing the cause. This means:
- Making sure your soil drains well (
improve soil drainage). - Not watering too much.
- Getting rid of
decaying matter lawn, like old wood or thick thatch. - Letting sun and air get to the soil.
Taking care of your lawn well helps a lot. A healthy lawn with good soil is less likely to have lots of mushrooms. Be patient. Fixing these problems takes time. But it is the best way how to stop mushrooms growing for good. And always treat all yard mushrooms as possibly toxic. Get rid of toadstools and other types safely and quickly.