How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in Your Yard with Easy Solutions

There’s nothing better than walking on your lawn without shoes until you get squished by a mushroom. When there’s one, there’s likely more, so it’s important to know how to get rid of mushroom in yard. 

There’s no need to apply harmful fungicides to get rid of lawn fungi. Although mushrooms aren’t likely to harm your lawn, they can signal potential problems. Learn how to keep fungi away from your yard without damaging the look and feel of your lawn.

What Are Mushrooms?

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi, which thrive in moist areas. There are many varieties, most of which have caps and gills, with the gills forming on the underside of the cap. The caps are the fruiting parts of the fungus. 

Some mushrooms have stems, but not all. While some mushrooms are beneficial and edible, others are poisonous and dangerous.

Why Are Mushrooms Growing in Your Yard?

Before figuring out how to remove them, it’s helpful to understand why mushrooms grow in the first place. Understanding how they grow will make it easier to address the problem. Mushrooms grow differently than plants like grass, ornamental trees, and shrubs. These plants come from germinated seeds and typically need sunlight and warmth. 

However, mushrooms don’t grow from seeds; they come from fungi found in the soil, grass, or other organic material, such as decaying leaves or other plant matter.

Mushrooms thrive in moist, dark environments, meaning they grow best in shaded, wet areas. When conditions are right, mushrooms are released to reproduce and spread spores. Mushrooms are the fruiting body of the fungus, much like apples or pears, which are the fruit of trees. 

As mushrooms develop, they consume organic matter to acquire the nutrients they need to grow. They are heterotrophic, meaning they rely on plants and organic substances for energy and nutrients.

When the mushrooms mature at the end of their lifecycle, they release spores from the wind that can spread throughout your yard (and possibly to your neighbour’s). When the spores land in a suitable environment, they can stay dormant until conditions allow them to grow again.

What’s the main takeaway? Mushrooms prefer damp, dark conditions and organic material to thrive.

When to Get Rid of Lawn Mushrooms

Mushrooms generally don’t cause harm and can be beneficial to lawns in some cases. Since fungi feed on decaying organic matter, they break it down, releasing nutrients into the soil. However, you may decide to remove the fungi for several reasons:

• Mushrooms are unsightly and can detract from your lawn’s appearance, especially when preparing to sell your home.
• Some mushrooms are edible (but always seek professional advice on which varieties are safe), while others are poisonous, posing a risk to pets and children playing on the lawn.
• Certain mushrooms, like “stinkhorns,” emit an unpleasant odor.

Reasons Mushrooms Sprout on Lawns

Before mushrooms appear, fungi grow underground in areas with poor drainage and insufficient sunlight. The fungus feeds on decaying organic matter, such as:

• Pet waste
• Fallen leaves
• Grass clippings
• Lawn thatch
• Old tree stumps that have not completely decayed

How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in the Yard

Removing the mushrooms above the ground won’t eliminate the underground mycelium, the main body of the fungus that produces mushrooms. 

They will return when conditions are favorable. To reduce the welcoming environment for fungi, try reducing their food sources and drying out your lawn.

• Soil Management

Many fungi thrive in moist soil, where they scavenge for decaying plant matter. Fungi can slow down or go dormant in dry weather. Aerating the soil helps improve drainage, which reduces how long the soil stays wet. 

Removing thatch reduces the fungi’s food source, eliminating decaying organic matter. Both actions will help strengthen your lawn and reduce the chances of a fungus outbreak.

• Dry Things Out

Reducing lawn irrigation is a key to prevent mushrooms from growing. If your lawn is always wet, mushrooms will likely appear. Flat, large lawns with no slope may retain water after irrigation or rainfall, leaving the ground damp for long periods. 

Cleaning gutters and redirecting water to better-draining areas can reduce watering frequency and aid natural drainage.

• Remove Organic Matter

Remove any above-ground organic matter that may encourage mushroom growth. Clean up fallen leaves, tree branches, and twigs, and remove plant debris in the garden. Be sure also to clean up pet waste promptly.

• Mechanical Control

You can use a lawnmower to cut mushrooms down, rake them off the lawn, or even pick them up by hand. When handling mushrooms, wear gloves and place them in plastic bags for disposal to avoid spreading spores. You can dig mushrooms out of the soil with a shovel or gardening trowel.

• Accelerate Their Lifecycle

Apply a quick-release organic nitrogen fertilizer to your lawn or garden. Although this may seem counterintuitive since mushrooms thrive in fertile soils, nitrogen boosts growth. The mushrooms will live faster and disappear before reaching maturity. 

Nitrogen also speeds up the decomposition of organic matter, reducing the fungi’s food supply.

• Aerate the Lawn

Aeration is an effective way to remove fungi that live under the lawn. Regularly aerating the soil adds oxygen, allowing for better air circulation and water drainage. Dethatching or removing dead grass also helps. Mow your lawn frequently and leave the grass short to help air circulation.

• Apply Fungicide

While fungicides may seem extreme, they can be a useful way to eliminate persistent lawn mushrooms, especially if other strategies like aeration and mowing haven’t worked. Spray the fungicide over your lawn, focusing on the affected areas. Granular fungicides are also an option.

• Physically Remove the Mushrooms

Mushrooms can be dangerous to pets or children. Removing and disposing them off promptly is an effective, simple solution. Mushrooms are usually fragile and can be easily removed by hand or using a shovel or rake. 

Catching them before they release spores is the best way to reduce their spread. However, don’t expect them to disappear for long, as the mycelium continues reproducing underground when conditions are favorable.

• Use Baking Soda

Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a gallon of warm water and pour it over the mushrooms and soil around them. Baking soda improves the soil’s pH and slows mushroom growth. Repeat as needed, but avoid getting this mixture on your grass or plants.

• Try Dish Soap

Remove the fungi by digging them out of the lawn with a spade. Place the mushrooms in a plastic bag to prevent the spores from spreading. After removing them, pour water mixed with a few drops of dish soap into the holes where the mushrooms grew to stop further growth.

• Reduce Thatch Thickness

Reduce thatch by scarifying your lawn using an upright mower or electric rake. Thatch consists of dead and living grass that builds up on the soil surface. Thatch restricts air circulation and hinders water flow, which can create favorable conditions for fungi.

• Spray the Vinegar Solution

Mix four parts water with one part vinegar and spray the solution directly on the mushrooms and surrounding soil. The vinegar solution dehydrates the mushrooms and kills the fungi. Be cautious not to spray this on your grass or plants, as vinegar can be harmful and even kill them.

Other Remedies

Homemade remedies like dish soap, baking soda, or vinegar can be effective in removing mushrooms. However, the results may not last long, as the fruiting bodies (mushrooms) only last for a few days. Once the mushrooms are removed, they may grow back unless the underlying cause is addressed.

Most over-the-counter fungicides are not highly effective in combating garden fungi. The most effective long-term solution addresses fungi’s needs through proper lawn care and management.

How to Prevent Mushrooms From Growing

The best way to prevent mushrooms is to address drainage issues, nutrient deficiencies, and shady areas in your lawn. Removing decaying organic material and improving drainage will help prevent fungi from growing.

Improve Drainage

The appearance of mushrooms could indicate that the soil beneath your lawn isn’t draining correctly. Insufficient drainage can lead to excessively humid conditions that can cause the growth of fungi and lawn diseases.

In addition to mushrooms, look for small puddles and muddy patches that indicate drainage problems.

The problem of drainage can result from a flat lawn, impacted soil, clogged gutters, or sidewalks that hinder water drainage. Certain solutions allow you to get rid both your water and soil more efficiently or let you manage and collect excess water. Try these suggestions:

• Reroute or extend a downspout.
• Clean gutters are the cause of flooding.
• Harvest rain to improve water drainage by creating rain gardens, water gardens, rain ponds, and rain barrels.

In the case of extreme flooding, you should have a professional set up, a French drain or construct a swale and dry bed for the creek.

Aerate the Lawn to Improve Soil Drainage

Aeration allows water and nutrients to penetrate the soil rather than sit on the grass. Small lawns can be aerated with manual spike aerators, while larger lawns may require a gas-powered aerator from a rental store.

Encourage Sunlight

Mushrooms prefer shady, moist conditions, so increasing sunlight on your lawn by trimming trees and bushes will reduce dampness and discourage mushroom growth.

Maintain the Lawn

Remove decaying organic matter to prevent mushrooms from forming. Some tips for lawn care include:

1. Raking or bagging grass clippings after mowing (leaving a small amount is fine)
2. Removing fallen leaves in autumn
3. Dethatching the lawn regularly
4. Removing old tree stumps and roots

Are Mushrooms Beneficial in Your Yard?

Let’s discuss the benefits they can bring.

• Mushrooms (typically) result from beneficial fungi that live in and on the surface. They consume organic matter, dissolve it, and release nutrients to boost soil fertility. This soil is ideal for growing flowers, grass, and other plants.
• Fungi are visible above the surface, but we can’t notice the intricate, pervasive filaments they produce underground. These underground mycelia and hyphae aid in retaining soil moisture, reducing drought stress, and enhancing plant growth.
• The fungi that cause mushrooms usually form symbiotic relations with the roots of plants. Mycorrhizal relationships help plants to absorb nutrients and water more effectively.

Why Do Mushrooms Look Different?

Since they are the result of a variety of fungi that live on your lawn, they will emerge in various forms, colors, and dimensions. Sometimes, these variations are only related to the fungal species, but sometimes, they are due to changing conditions such as temperature, sun, and humidity.

The color of mushrooms is determined by the species of fungal from which they are derived. However, some mushrooms—particularly toxic ones—are vibrantly colored to alert predators such as squirrels, deer, birds, and insects to stay away.

The shape of a mushroom is intended to allow spore dispersal. Consider, for instance, the famous mushroom with the cap on top of a long stem. In these, spores grow inside the gills of the cap. Since the cap is raised off the floor when the spores are released, it is easier for air to capture and disperse the spores. Puffball mushrooms produce spores due to their enclosed round structure. As they mature, the spores rupture violently to “puff” spores into the air.

FAQs

Why are mushrooms growing in my yard?

Fungi love moisture. If your lawn doesn’t get enough drainage and is prone to collecting water in certain zones, it could be the ideal spot for mushrooms to pop up, particularly if other circumstances are combined with it. The drainage may be excellent, but you could be the cause.

Does vinegar kill mushrooms?

Use a natural fungicide, like vinegar. Dilute four parts water to one part vinegar. Spray directly on the mushroom. The acidic acetic in vinegar will destroy the mushrooms. However, the acid can also kill anything it comes in contact with.

Does it harm to let mushrooms flourish in your garden?

In general, fungi on your lawn aren’t necessarily an issue. It’s usually an indication that your lawn is receiving ample water. Furthermore, mushrooms help to decompose organic matter. This could aid in the release of more nutrients to the soil.

What is the most effective method of killing mushrooms?

Use a Fungicide

The acetic acid in vinegar kills mushrooms, but be cautious when spraying because it may kill anything it comes into contact with. A commercial fungicide is also possible. However, remember that fungicides only kill the bodies that produce fruit.

Do mushrooms purify the air?

Fungi have been found to break down harmful substances like oil “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, herbicides, and pesticides. By securing and absorbing pollutants like heavy metals within their tissues, fungi could even aid in eliminating lead.

What can a mushroom do to appear to expand over a day?

The warm, humid weather causes an abrupt appearance. They are usually the first thing to be noticed. Are tiny round “button caps” composed of densely packed hyphae. Shortly after the outer covering is broken, the stem grows, and the cap expands to its maximum size. This whole process can take place in just a few hours!