The recommended method for how to get rid of mushrooms in your lawn is fairly simple and involves removing them manually using a common garden tool. How effective the method is can depend on the conditions when removing your mushrooms and the severity of the infestations.
All kinds of grass, including artificial lawns, can be susceptible to mushroom growth and other lawn weeds. However, Richard Barker, commercial director and horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture, reassures that the presence of mushrooms on your lawn is not necessarily a bad thing, as they can indicate that your lawn has diverse and healthy soil.
However, if you have pets or kids, then Tom Clamp, head of technical at Doff Portland, urges it’s best to remove them promptly in case they are toxic.
Another cheap method is to remove them by hand, wearing a pair of garden gloves like EINSKEY Gardening Gloves, £8.99 at Amazon. Alternative tools include a lawn scarifier, a mower, a lawn aerator or secateurs.
Richard advises against chemical treatments which kill weeds in grass including unwanted mushroom growth too. “There are not really any chemical treatments that can effectively get rid of mushrooms in your lawn entirely. You can try to use a fungicide if you have a severe infestation, but this should only be used as a last resort due to the environmental impact it can have.”
“Fungicides should always be used sparingly and only on affected areas, as they can affect beneficial organisms.”
With 4 years in the industry, Richard Barker is an expert in horticulture and the commercial director at LBS Horticulture. He is keen to share his knowledge with both experienced and beginner gardeners, and prides himself in keeping up to date in the latest horticultural trends.
Prevent mushroom in lawns
There are several things you can do to discourage mushroom growth in your lawn. Richard Barker, commercial director and horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture, outlines them below:
Remove food sources: rake up leaves, twigs, grass cuttings or other waste materials from your lawn regularly, as mushrooms will feed on these as they break down.
De-thatch your lawn: if your lawn has a thick layer of thatch, this can also provide food for mushrooms. You can get rid of lawn thatch through scarifying your lawn.
Regular mowing: shorter grass will dry faster than longer grass, limiting the chances of mushrooms growing. However, before mowing your lawn you should remove any mushrooms or fungi remnants to avoid spreading their spores.
Aeration:aerating your lawn can improve the soil drainage, reducing the amount of moisture that can create the ideal environment for mushrooms.
Reduce shade: cut back overhanging branches and remove obstructions to allow sunlight to reach all areas of your lawn, as mushrooms thrive in the shade.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
FAQs
Are mushrooms in lawns a problem?
Mushrooms do not usually indicate a problem, unless the mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of honey fungus explains Richard Barker horticultural expert.
“Honey fungus can cause the death of garden plants, and there are currently no chemical controls available to deal with it. The only effective treatment of honey fungus is excavating and destroying any affected material or using a physical barrier to prevent the spread to unaffected areas.”
“Leaving mushrooms on your lawn will not actually damage your grass, but it may look more unsightly than usual. The presence of mushrooms can mean that your lawn’s soil is healthy, and it is only other fungi that may cause problems,” says Richard.
Why have I suddenly got mushrooms in my lawn?
Excess moisture or waterlogged soil in your lawn caused by overwatering or poor drainage, especially in shaded areas, can increase the likelihood of mushrooms growing.
Mushrooms thrive on decaying organic matter, so the presence of mushrooms on your lawn may indicate that there is a buildup of dead grass or moss on the lawn known as thatch. The presence of mushrooms on your lawn is not necessarily a bad thing, as they can indicate that your lawn has diverse and healthy soil.
What are the mushrooms growing in my lawn in the UK?
There are several common varieties of mushroom that you may find growing on your lawn in the UK. Richard Barker commercial director and horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture lists them below:
Field mushroom (Agaricus campestris): has a small white cap that can begin to peel as it ages with brown or black gills.
Yellow-staining mushroom (Agaricus xanthodermus): these have slightly bigger caps than field mushrooms, and are a white or greyish-brown colour with flesh that turns yellow when bruised.
Shaggy ink cap (Coprinus comatus): has tall and narrow stems with gills that ‘dissolve’ and appear as though they are dripping black ink.
Fairy ring mushroom (Marasmius oreades): has a pale brown, floppy domed cap and often occurs in rings in lawns.
Mower’s mushroom (Panaeolus Foenisecii): small brown mushrooms that have caps that are usually no more than 3cm in diameter.
If you’re interested in organic methods for maintaining a healthy lawn, then have a look at our guide to using clover in lawns as a natural fertiliser.
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