What causes lawn mushrooms and how can you get rid of them? Read on to find out.
Mushrooms can grow in almost any area of your lawn, but some lawns see more mushrooms than others. What is it that causes these growths? When lawn mushrooms appear, they tell you something about your soil. Mushrooms can indicate that your yard has a lot of organic material in the soil and are the above-ground signs of fungal growth within the soil. Mushrooms are not necessarily bad for your lawn but can disrupt your carefully planned landscaping with sometimes unsightly clusters. If you want to avoid the appearance of lawn mushrooms or learn how to remove them once they appear, consult with your lawn care professional at Scientific Plant Service.
The Causes of Lawn Mushrooms
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of various fungi in the soil. These fungi are always present in your soil, but they need the right environmental conditions for them to emerge. This is why you often see them after a rainstorm. For the most part, mushrooms indicate that your soil has good microbial activity. If you don’t care about their appearance on your lawn, you can let them die off naturally.
How to Remove Mushrooms From Your Lawn
If you are bothered by the mushrooms, the first thing you can do is pull the mushrooms out. They propagate via spores, so removing the above-ground fruiting body eliminates the method for spreading spores. You can dispose of your mushrooms by placing them in a sealed bag and into the trash.
If you have recurring mushrooms, you may need to do more than pull them out of the ground. Another reason mushrooms may thrive in your lawn is the excess of thatch. Aerating your lawn can break up, remove thatch, and add oxygen to your soil to allow your grass to prosper again. Aerating also alleviates soil compaction, which can also encourage mushrooms.
How to Prevent Lawn Mushrooms
Mushrooms thrive in moist areas. If you are watering too much or your lawn has spots of standing water, this can significantly encourage mushroom growth. You may need to address those low areas and adjust your watering schedule to avoid this. Additionally, picking up dog waste and dropped leaves can help reduce the extra decaying material in your lawn that feeds your soil and mushrooms. Finally, mushrooms like deep shade, so you may reduce the shade in your yard by trimming back branches or moving solid fences.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.