How do I get rid of Mushrooms and Toadstools from my lawn?
When damp weather sets in, we inevitably hear from anxious clients (and the public at large), concerned about a sudden outbreak of mushrooms or toadstools on their lawns. We are happy to report that such outbreaks are not uncommon and will not harm your lawn at all. In fact, the presence of fungi such as mushrooms and toadstools is an indicator that your soil is rich in the organic material on which they thrive. It is a sign that the soil under your lawn is healthy.
Lawntech’s technicians are used to finding fungi on our clients’ lawns
Why have Mushrooms and Toadstools appeared on my lawn?
The fungi feed on dead and decaying plant and animal matter, and they particularly love this carbon-rich soil when it is damp. Soil which has been disturbed, perhaps through the laying of new turf or seed is also perfect for fungi, as the landscaping works can pick up their spores and spread them. We understand that for many, these invaders are an unwelcome eyesore on their otherwise pristine lawn, but can reassure you that they will not harm the lawn in any way. The fact that they are thriving means that they are breaking down that organic matter and feeding essential nutrients down into your soil. They are playing in important part in the ecosystem of your garden, and should not linger as a visible blemish for any length of time.
How do I remove Mushrooms and Toadstools from my lawn?
A dead tree stump – perfect conditions for thriving fungi
We have no chemical solutions or professional products at our disposal that are effective against mushrooms or toadstools, and their underground fungal thread structure makes them impervious to being dug out. The important thing is to remove them from the surface without disturbing and spreading their spores, to prevent them from going on to produce more fungi in the future. If there are only a few, gently picking them out is ideal. If they are more widespread, very gentle brushing with a soft broom is an alternative. If you are able to remove them as quickly as they appear, so much the better. Once you have successfully cleared an outbreak in this way, they will be much less likely to return to that area. Please be aware that Toadstools can be poisonous, so do not be tempted to eat them unless you really know your fungi! Also ensure you take appropriate precautions when handling and disposing of them.
How do I deal with persistent Mushrooms and Toadstools on my lawn?
In many cases of a toadstool or mushroom outbreak it is unlikely that they will reappear in the same place regularly. This is because there are thousands of types of fungus in your soil, many of which only bear ‘fruit’ occasionally, sometimes whole decades apart. If you find a regular recurrence of mushrooms and toadstools in the same area of your garden, it may be a sign of decomposing organic matter lurking out of sight. This could well be tree roots underground or even an old tree stump. You would need to be determined to rid your lawn of the problem, as the only option is to remove all that dead material by digging it out. This would need to be dug to a depth of 40cm, before you fill the resulting hole with fresh soil before laying new lawn on top.
