If you’ve been working hard to create a healthy, thick, and beautiful lawn only to have the frustrating experience of seeing mushrooms pop up, don’t panic. Despite being considered undesirable by many, mushroom growth on your lawn might actually signal that your lawn is in good lawn health. However, if you don’t like their appearance, answering the question, why are there mushrooms in my grass, we can help you identify areas that you can address to stop mushroom growth before it starts.
At Mr. Trim Lawn & Garden Services, we are a family-run business that has been in operation for more than 40 years. We provide grass cutting and lawn mowing services for customers who want to spend more time enjoying, and less time working, on their lawn. Our customers have often asked us, why do I have mushrooms in my grass? Most of the time, the answer is simply that your lawn is healthy and has a high level of moisture. In this post, we explore the reasons why mushrooms grow in grass and help you determine what to do when you want them gone.
Why Do Mushrooms Grow in Grass?
In Ontario, there are a variety of mushrooms that may grow on your lawn. If you’ve been wondering, why are there mushrooms growing in my grass, the answer is typically just that a fungus is present in your soil, and damp and cool conditions are supporting mushroom growth. The combination of decaying organic material such as thatch, damp soil, and even shade can lead help mushrooms grow. You may find that mushrooms pop up in areas of your lawn that have poor drainage, shaded areas, or only after large amounts of rain.
Our post, Stop Killing Your Lawn! Common Mowing Mistakes & The Secret to the Perfect Mow Height, highlights common mowing and lawn care mistakes that may be contributing to mushroom growth and other lawn-related concerns.
Are Mushrooms in Grass Bad?
In most cases, mushrooms growing in grass are harmless. However, it is always a good idea to keep pets and small children away from mushrooms as some can be harmful if ingested. The sight of mushrooms growing in grass can be frustrating yet overall they signal that your lawn is a nutrient-dense environment. Though mushrooms aren’t necessarily bad, it could be a good idea to remove them to prevent a spread of mushrooms across your lawn.
Can I Prevent Mushrooms from Growing in My Grass?
As mushrooms thrive in damp, cool, and nutrient-rich environments, it’s no surprise that they pop up in grass. However, now that you understand why mushrooms grow in grass, you might also wonder if there is anything you can do to prevent it from happening. To prevent mushrooms from growing, inspect your lawn and remove decaying material such as excess leaves, broken tree branches, or excess lawn clippings. This can all be done during seasonal cleanup, or as needed throughout the year. Dethatching may also help to remove excess buildup on your lawn; you’ll want to do this to eliminate some of the nutrients mushrooms feed on. Keep in mind that detaching also provides the benefit of allowing for better absorption of water in the soil , which, in turn, can help to ensure mushrooms don’t pop up.
See our post, Is Dethatching Worth the Effort? Discover the Benefits of Dethatching a Lawn and Should You Bag Your Lawn Clippings? Quick Tips to Help You Protect the Health of Your Lawn, for additional insight into protecting your lawn.
If you’ve been wondering, why are mushrooms in my grass, know that their presence is not a sign of you doing something wrong. In fact, you may just need to keep an eye on how wet your soil is to prevent their growth. If you are looking for support in achieving the lawn of your dreams, we can help you with lawn maintenance services that support the overall health and appearance of your lawn.
Aaron grew up in Bowmanville, working along side his dad for as long as he can remember. Aaron went to school to get his small engine repairs certificate to help keep all the machines running well. Aaron is very knowledgeable with all lawn care needs. He took and passed the pesticide license course so he could better help his customers. Aaron always makes sure to determine what your lawn needs and can give recommendations on how to make it better.
Mr. Trim has many awards from, three best rated, This Week Readers Choice, Durham Region Readers Choice and more. Both owners Lisa & Aaron have their pesticide licences. Their biggest accomplishment of all is having loyal customers that trust them year after year for all their lawn, garden and snow clearing needs.