Mushrooms in Your Lawn? Here’s How to Get Rid of Them

After a few rainy days, you may see some mushrooms sprouting on your lawn. These yard mushrooms may seem harmless, but they're often not the kind you'd want to eat. Besides detracting from the aesthetics of your landscape, mushrooms growing in your yard can pose a risk, particularly if you have kids or pets who may accidentally ingest them. Many mushroom species are toxic, and some can cause severe reactions. Therefore, finding ways to remove them safely becomes essential.

Key Takeaways

• Mushrooms grow in lawns with excessive moisture, shade, and an abundance of organic debris, such as decaying leaves or wood. These factors provide the ideal environment for fungi to thrive, particularly after rainy periods.
• To prevent mushrooms, manage lawn moisture by watering deeply but infrequently, increase sun exposure by trimming back overgrown plants, and remove decomposing organic matter. Regular dethatching and collecting grass clippings also help reduce fungi food sources.
• If mushrooms or fungi have caused damage to your lawn, installing fresh sod from Bethel Farms can restore its health and appearance. Our high-quality sod grass for sale provides a quick solution to rejuvenate areas affected by fungal growth, ensuring your lawn remains lush and vibrant.

What are Mushrooms and What Causes Them to Grow in Your Lawn?

Mushrooms are the visible fruiting bodies of fungi that grow beneath the soil. Similar to how plants spread seeds, mushrooms release spores that travel through wind or animals to reproduce. The mushrooms visible above the soil are only a small part of a more extensive underground fungal network. Fungi feed on dead organic matter, such as decaying leaves, tree roots, or thatch, breaking it down to recycle nutrients into the soil.

Mushrooms flourish in warm and moist environments and where organic matter is abundant. After heavy rain or periods of high humidity, the soil in your lawn can provide the perfect conditions for mushrooms to grow. Shaded areas, excessive moisture, and the presence of decomposing organic matter—like an old tree stump or rotting wood—encourage fungi to produce mushrooms. Mushrooms are especially common in regions with warm climates, such as Florida. Common mushroom species you may find in Florida lawns include inky caps, puffballs, and stinkhorns.

Are Mushrooms Bad for Your Lawn?

Lawn mushrooms may seem alarming, but their presence can be a sign of healthy soil. Fungi play a crucial role in decomposing organic material, returning valuable nutrients to the earth. In many cases, mushrooms indicate that your lawn is biologically active, which can be a positive signal. However, there are several reasons why you might want to remove yard mushrooms.

On a visual level, mushrooms can ruin the appeal of an otherwise lush and pristine green lawn, leaving unsightly patches. Moreover, some mushroom species are toxic, posing a risk to children and pets if ingested. Excessive fungi growth may also damage grass by creating small dead patches, calling for repairs such as laying new sod to restore lawn health. Additionally, mushrooms may indicate poor lawn care, such as overwatering, which creates excess moisture in your lawn.

How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in Your Lawn

While a few mushrooms may not harm your lawn, addressing the underlying conditions will prevent further fungal spread and maintain a healthier lawn.

1. Dig Out the Mushrooms

Use a spade or shovel to dig out the mushrooms. Dig at least 12 inches deep to remove as much of the underlying fungal network as possible. This can help stop the spores from spreading to other parts of your lawn.

2. Mow Over Them

If digging them out feels like too much work, you can mow over the mushrooms. Ensure to collect the clippings, as leaving mushroom pieces behind can encourage fungi to produce more spores.

3. Clean Up Thoroughly

Dispose of the mushrooms in a sealed trash bag and dispose of them. Do not add mushrooms to your compost pile or leave them with other lawn clippings, as this can further spread fungi. Clean up any decaying organic matter, such as fallen leaves or grass clippings, as fungi feed on these materials.

4. Use Fungal Treatments

For severe mushroom issues, consider using a fungicide specifically formulated for lawn care. This targets the fungi below the soil to manage mushroom growth. However, fungal treatments should be a last resort, as they may also affect beneficial fungi that contribute to overall lawn health.

How to Prevent Lawn Mushrooms from Growing Back

Mushrooms grow in lawns with excessive moisture, shade, and organic debris. So, the best way to prevent mushrooms from reappearing in your lawn is to address the environmental factors that promote their growth.

1. Address Excessive Moisture

Overwatering is a common cause of mushrooms in lawns. Water your lawn deeply but infrequently, aiming for 1–1.5 inches of water per week, spread across 1–2 watering sessions. Ensure the soil has time to dry between watering. Watering in the early morning allows the soil to dry throughout the day, reducing the damp conditions in which mushrooms grow. Improve drainage in areas prone to standing water by aerating compacted soil and dethatching to promote better water absorption.

2. Improve Sun Exposure

Mushrooms thrive in shady areas, so increasing sunlight exposure can help. Trim back any overgrown trees or shrubs, and mow your lawn regularly to ensure sunlight reaches the soil. This creates a less favorable environment for fungi to produce mushrooms. Additionally, using shade-tolerant grass like St. Augustine grass can help maintain a healthy lawn in areas with limited sunlight, reducing the chance for mushrooms to appear while keeping your grass lush. Check out our tips on how to grow grass in the shade.

3. Clean Up Decaying Organic Matter

Fungi feed on decomposing organic matter like rotting wood, tree stumps, or dead leaves. So, removing any tree stumps, roots, or decaying plant matter from your lawn is important. Dethatching your lawn once a year or as needed helps in removing the buildup of grass clippings and leaves that can feed fungi. Additionally, consider collecting your grass clippings when mowing to reduce their availability as a food source for fungi, helping minimize mushroom growth in your lawn.

Final Thoughts

While mushrooms growing in your yard may be a sign of a healthy lawn, they contribute less to its appearance and potentially pose risks to your family and pets. By taking steps to remove mushrooms and address the factors that encourage their growth—such as excessive moisture, poor drainage, and shade—you can prevent them from coming back and maintain a healthier lawn.

In cases of serious damage to your lawn due to fungi, fresh sod installation can offer an immediate solution. Sod from Bethel Farms provides a fast way to rejuvenate your yard with healthy grass that has been cultivated in a controlled environment. For more seasonal lawn care tips and high-quality sod for sale, check out our website today.