Are you wondering why mushrooms suddenly popped up on your lawn? Well, you are not alone in your concerns. Mushrooms can make you think about all sorts of things that could be wrong with your yard. 

Moreover, if you have pets who might eat the mushrooms accidentally, things could worsen. Read on to find answers to why mushrooms grow on your lawn and how to get rid of them. 

What Are Mushrooms, and Where Do They Grow?

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Just like different plants produce different fruits, mushrooms are the "fruits" of a type of fungi (macroscopic filamentous fungi) that lives in soil. These fungi could already be present in your lawn's soil, and when they find the right environment, they grow in the form of mushrooms and prepare for reproduction. Each mushroom can release millions of microscopic spores into the air, which settle into new sites and wait for the right conditions to grow. 

What Makes Mushrooms Grow? 

Mushrooms love wet and humid weather! Notice that mushrooms will pop into your lawn after a long period of heavy rain. Not just that, mushrooms grow on decaying organic matter in the soil. So, if you have old trees, piles of leaves, old wood, or stumps in your lawn, mushrooms will have a suitable site to grow once the weather gets wet and humid. 

The wet conditions enable the organic matter to decay faster, and as the organic matter decays, more nutrients get available for the mushrooms to grow.  

Note: If you irrigate the lawn more than necessary, you unintentionally create a perfect environment for growing mushrooms.  

What Are Fairy Rings?

Sometimes, dark green circles or semi-circles appear on lawns, known as fairy rings. These rings generally occur in a diameter of 2 to 15 feet and arise because the fungus overgrows in the grass, making it difficult for the grassroots to get air and water. When the conditions get wet, mushrooms appear on these arcs. Using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer can help prevent fairy rings in your lawn. 

Are Mushrooms Harmful?

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Now that you know why mushrooms are growing in your lawn, it is time to see whether you should be worried about it. 

There are over 10,000 species of mushrooms, some of which may cause a foul smell and can be toxic if ingested. According to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, eating poisonous mushrooms can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, liver damage, or even death. So, if you have mushrooms on your lawn, ensure your pets and children stay away from them. Do not eat mushrooms from your lawn unless you are sure they aren't toxic. 

While mushrooms are not poisonous to touch, some might cause skin allergies. So, if you plan to touch them, wear gloves to be safe. 

Are There Any Benefits?

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You might not be able to eat the mushrooms growing on your lawn, but they are beneficial in multiple ways! 

Mushrooms Indicate Healthy Soil

Since mushrooms grow in soil rich in organic matter, their popping up in your lawn indicates healthy soil. Also, mushrooms are known as primary decomposers, which means they are unlike other bacteria in the ground. They can penetrate through rigid organic matter and break it into valuable nutrients. 

Mushrooms Help in the Growth of Plants

Mushrooms and plants live in a symbiotic relationship where the fungi that produce mushrooms attach to a tissue of the plant to gain carbohydrates, which helps in the growth of mushrooms. In exchange, plants get access to the mycelium (a network-like structure) that allows them to access vital nutrients from the soil, which they ordinarily could not access. 

Mushrooms Are a Food Source for Insects and Animals

According to a study by the United States Department of Agriculture, some insects and animals like deer, squirrels, and other rodents eat mushrooms. So, the insects or animals that could harm your lawn might prefer eating mushrooms to healthy plants. However, the study also states that if animals can eat wild mushrooms, it does not mean they are edible to humans. 

How to Rid Them From Your Lawn

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Generally, mushrooms last only a short time. Once they shed their spores, they collapse and deteriorate. However, it does not mean that the fungus in the soil also decays. Instead, it stays there, waiting for the right environment to grow. 

But, if you cannot wait for the mushrooms to dry out on their own, there are some ways to get rid of them.

Remove by Hand 

You should wear your gloves and start picking up mushrooms from your lawn by hand. You must do this as soon as they pop up on your lawn, and do not allow them to release spores. Also, pick up all the decaying matter from the soil to prevent the mushrooms from growing back.

Use Dish Soap

Take a screwdriver and poke some holes in the ground surrounding mushrooms. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of dish soap with 3 gallons of water and pour this soapy solution over the mushrooms and the holes you created. Ensure the holes are deep enough that the water reaches the roots of the mushrooms. Do this method a few times a day for one week, and it will stop the mushrooms from growing further.

Spray Baking Soda 

Baking soda can reduce the mushrooms on your lawn and even prevent them from growing back. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 gallon of water and spray this solution on the mushrooms and the surrounding areas. You can also sprinkle baking soda on the mushrooms and water the area afterward. Repeat this process a few times to see the results.

Note: Adding baking soda to the lawn will increase the pH of the soil ridding of the mushrooms. So, make sure to use the baking soda in moderation to avoid disturbing the growth of other plants in your lawn.

Horticultural Vinegar 

Horticultural vinegar is more concentrated than the vinegar you use at home and can kill the mushrooms effectively. However, you will need to dilute it slightly to make a vinegar spray for the mushrooms. Remember that this solution will also kill any grass or plants surrounding the mushrooms, so spray it carefully.

Note: Using highly concentrated vinegar can burn your skin, so wear gloves.

Clean & Dry Lawn 

If you want to prevent mushrooms from growing on your lawn, stop providing them with the right environment. Remove all decaying matter from your lawn, like dead plants, tree stumps, animal waste, or rotting branches. Also, make sure not to overwater your lawn. It is best to water the lawn early in the morning so that sun can soak up the extra moisture during the day.

Mushrooms Aren't That Bad!

It is incredible how microscopic fungi in the soil can sprout up as mushrooms. They pop up in prolonged wet and humid conditions and can benefit the soil, grass, and plants in your lawn. 

The only thing you need to take care of is not eating mushrooms unless you are sure they are not toxic. Besides, if you have pets or children who wander on your lawn, remove the mushrooms as soon as they pop up to avoid mishaps. 

Otherwise, enjoy the temporary display of mushrooms on your lawn! 

Do you have any secret tips to keep mushrooms away from your lawn? Please share them in the comments below.