How to get rid of mushrooms and toadstools

The mushrooms and toadstools you see on your lawn are part of a much larger fungal organism. Most of this organism (known as mycelium) lives underground; it exists in the soil year-round. Mushrooms and toadstools are the ‘flowers’, the reproductive part of a type of fungi that lives in the soil; they show up for a short time of the year.

Most of these fungi are beneficial. They remain hidden underground, feeding on organic matter in the soil, such as decaying leaves and tree roots. They break this matter down and release nutrients back into the lawn.

Mushrooms and toadstools are actually a sign that your lawn is healthy and thriving, and they are an integral part of the natural ecosystem. However, if you find them unsightly or a slip hazard, or if you’re worried about children or pets ingesting them, there are steps you can take to limit their appearance.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. Do not eat any mushrooms that you find on your lawn without first consulting an expert.

Where mushrooms thrive

Fungi such as mushrooms and toadstools thrive in the following conditions:

• Moist, damp environments. Mushrooms thrive in moist environments, and often appear after rain or in areas with poor drainage.
• Shaded or protected environments. Mushrooms love shady environments and areas that are protected from good air flow, such as the damp, boggy corner of your lawn or garden.
• Rich, organic matter. Mushrooms flourish in grass clippings, leaves, thatch, old mulch, compost, wood, and animal waste; these provide a perfect environment for mushroom growth.
• Warm, humid weather. Warm, humid weather provides the right conditions for mushroom and toadstool growth – especially in your lawn.

How to control mushrooms and toadstools in your lawn

Mushrooms and toadstools can remain dormant in your soil for years, coming to life when the conditions are right. The top part of the fungus that can be seen – the mushroom or toadstool head – is only a small part of the fungus, and it usually lasts for a few days.

Think of the mushroom like an apple on a tree: you can pick the apple, but that doesn’t remove the tree. The underground structure of the fungus is often so large you will never be able to find all of it to dig it out of your lawn.

However, there are a few steps you can take to minimise the appearance of mushrooms and toadstools in your lawn.

1. Aerate to improve soil drainage

If your lawn often has standing water or remains damp after rainfall, your soil might be compacted. Compacted soil can cause moisture build-up in your lawn, leading to the damp, sodden conditions that is ideal for mushroom growth.

Aerating your lawn will improve drainage problems, allowing more oxygen to get to the roots of the grass and decreasing the moisture that mushrooms thrive in.

2. Don’t overwater

While new lawns need plenty of water to help them get established, older lawns don’t need to be drenched regularly. Excessive watering can encourage mushroom and toadstool growth, particularly if you water late in the evening and allow the water to sit on the grass all night. Water during the morning to allow the water to absorb and dissipate.

3. Remove grass clippings from your lawn

Leaving grass clippings on your lawn can be beneficial in certain circumstances. However, if you’re having problems with mushrooms, limit this practice for a while.

4. Remove thatch build-up

Excessive thatch build-up in your lawn provides a good food source for toadstools and mushrooms as it decays. If it’s more than half-an-inch thick, it’s time for a good de-thatching.

5. Replace old mulch

Decaying organic matter in and around your lawn will encourage mushrooms and toadstools to grow.

6. Reduce the amount of fertiliser applied to your lawn

Fertiliser is necessary for a healthy lawn. However, too much can be detrimental. Always follow the instructions on the packet and apply only as much as recommended for you specific lawn variety. An excess of fertiliser may be providing extra food for mushrooms, without causing any additional benefits for your lawn.

7. Clean up after your pet

Always clean up after your pet. Animal waste left on the lawn can encourage mushroom and toadstool growth.

8. Remove rotting wood and tree stumps

Rotting wood is a rich food source for mushrooms if left lying on your lawn. Even if you have removed the trees, rotting roots left underground can encourage mushroom growth. Remove everything you can, and rake and aerate the area to improve drainage.

9. Decrease shade in problem areas

If you regularly find mushrooms growing in certain areas of your lawn, check to see if these areas are overly shady. Sunshine helps control mushrooms and toadstools; they prefer to grow in the shade. Trim back trees or shrubs that are overhanging the lawn, or thin out the branches to allow more sunlight through. This will also allow more air to circulate in problem areas.

10. Remove by hand

While removing mushrooms and toadstools by hand won’t prevent them from growing back, it will prevent the spores from spreading further across your lawn. You can also mow off the mushrooms; just make sure you use the collector on your lawn mower so they don’t remain on the grass.

Tip: Wear gardening gloves while handling mushrooms or toadstools.

11. Fungicide

If all else fails, you could try using a fungicide to deal with unwanted mushrooms and toadstools. However, if you don’t deal with the issues that causes them to appear, there’s a good chance the mushrooms will simply grow back. In most cases, fungicide will have limited effectiveness on mushrooms and toadstools, so use it as a last resort.

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