Have you spotted random mushrooms growing on your lawn?
You might wonder where they came from. Are they dangerous to you or your lawn? And should you take them out or let them be?
Mushrooms popping on the lawn is not something rare.
Actually, fungi life in your garden can signify a few things about your soil and lawn condition.
In this article, Purple Care lawn care experts will share why fungi life appears in your yard. You’ll learn how to deal with them and what they mean for your lawn.
Why Do Mushrooms Randomly Grown In My Yard?
Mushrooms never pop up in your garden out of nowhere. They are the visible part of a large underground fungal network that lives in your soil.
When the conditions are right, this fungi network starts “fruiting.” The result is what we recognize as mushrooms growing in our yards.
As they mature and reach the end of their life cycle, mushrooms drop spores that disperse through the air, landing on your lawn. These spores lay dormant until the right conditions hit again; the cycle begins again, and fungi appear.
Most fungi prefer damp, shady, and cool conditions. That’s why you’re likely to see them on rainy autumn days. You might also spot them under trees and shrubs.
4 Reasons Why Mushrooms Are Growing In Your Lawn
Mushrooms appear when the right conditions allow them to.
Let’s explore the reasons why there might be mushrooms popping up on your lawn:
You Have A Healthy Soil
Mushrooms in your yard indicate strong fungi activity beneath it. Mushroom caps are the “fruit” of a long stirring body of the entire fungi organism. For these fungi bodies to appear, your soil must be rich in essential nutrients.
Wet Conditions
Mushrooms love moisture. If you live in a rainy area or your lawn lacks adequate drainage, your garden will be the perfect place for fungi to erupt.
Perhaps the lawn has good drainage, but you get a bit too carried away with watering. The extra moisture can cause mushrooms to pop up.
Increased Humidity and Temperature
Does your area have high humidity and temperature levels?
That climate will spur outbreaks of mushrooms, especially during hot summer months.
Mushrooms like damp and warm areas with plenty of organic matter.
Shaded Areas
While fungi can grow just fine in sunlight, they grow much better in shaded or semi-dark areas.
When you have shaded areas in your garden, and all the other conditions are right, there’s a good chance for mushrooms to make an appearance.
Are Mushrooms Bad For My Lawn’s Health?
Contrary to popular belief, finding mushrooms in your lawn is not necessarily a bad thing.
Fungi usually don’t harm your turf or grass. On the contrary, they can be highly beneficial; most mushrooms release nutrients that promote grass growth.
Homeowners’ main issue with fungi is a cosmetic problem—they don’t like how mushrooms look in their gardens.
This is more of a problem with the lawn’s appearance rather than its health.
Are Mushrooms Poisonous?
While mushrooms are harmless to your lawn, they might be unsafe to eat.
Not all mushrooms are poisonous, but some can be highly toxic. Never consume your garden’s mushrooms unless positively identified by an expert.
Should I Use Fungicide To Get Rid of Mushrooms?
Lawn experts typically recommend against using fungicides.
These products don’t really solve the problem. They only kill the visible fruit (the mushrooms you see on your lawn), not the fungi root system in your soil.
Furthermore, some fungicides can hurt the beneficial fungi in your soil. They can also kill microbial activity, disturbing the ecosystem and the soil’s health.
Most times, it’s best to let mushrooms be—they tend to disappear as quickly as they show up.
What Can I Do To Prevent Mushrooms In My Garden?
If you are not keen on mushrooms in your garden, your best bet is to prevent them. How? By prioritizing good lawn maintenance.
Remove thatch regularly and aerate your lawn twice a year. Lawn top dressing, such as compost or a high-quality sand mix, can prevent fungi or reduce the appearance of already-present mushrooms.
4 Benefits Mushrooms Bring To Your Lawn
Healthy lawns have mushrooms.
As we mentioned above, fungi bring benefits to your lawn.
To begin with, mushrooms growing in your yard is a sign of a healthy yard. So, when you see them, be glad—your grass has a healthy environment to grow!
These are 4 key benefits of mushrooms in your lawn:
- Essential Nutrients: Fungi decompose organic material, such as leaves, plants, and animal debris, releasing essential nutrients into the soil. Your grass will utilize those nutrients to grow healthy and vibrant.
- Improved Soil Structure: The fungi network beneath your grass creates air channels that allow better water and airflow, improving grass growth. The mushrooms’ root system almost works as an aeration service.
- Better Microbial Activity: The presence of mushrooms in your lawn signifies an active microbial community, crucial for healthy soil function.
- Enhanced Water Retention: Mushrooms absorb and release water gradually, helping your soil retain moisture.
Have You Spotted Mushrooms In Your Lawn?
Next time you spot mushrooms growing in your yard, you’ll know that most times, the best is to let them be.
Fungi life is not a threat to your garden. A fungi root system can enrich your soil by providing the essential nutrients for growing grass.
Mushrooms in your garden signify you have a healthy lawn that is more likely to grow vibrant and verdant grass.
