How to Get Rid of Mushrooms

Most mushrooms are beneficial to lawns as they decompose dead material into nutrients for the soil. However, not all mushrooms are harmless, and they may cause concern if there are children or pets in the house. You cannot eliminate them simply by pulling them out; like icebergs, mushrooms have a larger underground portion. You need to remove the entire mushroom to get rid of it. In this article, Mytour will guide you on how to do this.

Remove mushrooms from the ground as soon as you notice their caps appearing. If left too long, they will spread spores, and more mushrooms will grow. When you spot mushrooms, simply pull them out of the ground.

• You can use a lawn mower or rake the soil where the mushrooms are, but this will increase the risk of spreading spores across your lawn.

Dispose of mushrooms properly. Do not throw them into the compost pile. Instead, bring a plastic bag and place the mushrooms in it as you pull them out of the ground. Once the bag is full, seal it tightly and throw it in the trash. This will prevent the mushrooms from spreading spores across your lawn.

Apply nitrogen fertilizer to prevent mushrooms from growing in organic matter. The fertilizer will accelerate the breakdown of organic material, leaving no food source for the mushrooms to thrive on. Use about 500g of nitrogen fertilizer for every 100 square meters of lawn.

• Do not use slow-release or water-soluble nitrogen fertilizers.
• Apply the fertilizer by hand.
• Consider adding some phosphorus and potassium fertilizer as well. You need a ratio of 3 parts nitrogen, 1 part phosphorus, and 2 parts potassium.

Use soap and water to eliminate mushrooms. Dissolve 2-3 tablespoons (30-45ml) of dish soap in 7.5 liters of water. Make holes around the mushroom-infested area using a shovel, hoe, or spade. Pour the soapy water into the holes.

Be cautious with potted plants. Mushrooms often appear in plant pots. Pots tend to be overwatered and placed in warm, poorly ventilated indoor environments—ideal conditions for fungal growth. Here are some simple tips to keep your plant pots mushroom-free:

• Remove mushrooms as soon as they appear and dispose of them in the trash immediately.
• Create better airflow by placing pots near windows or fans.
• Avoid overwatering. Let the surface of the soil dry out before watering again.
• Use a watering bulb to keep the deeper soil moist while allowing the surface to stay dry.

Ensure proper drainage for your lawn. Mushrooms thrive in moist environments. If excess water accumulates on your lawn, it is crucial to create a drainage system. Here are a few ways to improve the water flow:

• If water runs down a slope, add soil to direct the excess water to a desired location.
• Dig a small pond or pit to collect the surplus water. This pit requires minimal maintenance and can also be a decorative element in your garden.
• Place rainwater collection barrels under gutters to capture excess water after rainfall. This prevents water from flowing directly onto your lawn.
• Consider digging underground drainage trenches (with gravel on top) to help drain the water and prevent pooling.

Ensure your lawn has well-draining soil. If your garden has clay soil, water won't drain properly once absorbed. The water will remain trapped in the lawn. If possible, mix sand or other well-draining materials into the soil to help spread the water more evenly.

• Water your lawn in the morning rather than at night. Sunlight will assist in evaporating excess water, preventing it from lingering and fostering fungal growth.

Trim tree branches to reduce shade. Prune close to the trunk, where the branch meets the bark. Avoid leaving stubs. Make a straight cut to ensure rainwater doesn’t collect in the hole and cause rotting.

• Keep trees free from mushrooms by trimming away any dead or diseased branches.

Remove leaf cover from your lawn to reduce shade and improve air circulation.

• Use a rake to gather the leaves from the lawn.
• Consider renting a leaf blower from a hardware store. After using the blower, gather the leaves with a traditional rake.
• If your grass thrives in cooler weather, remove the leaf cover from late summer to early fall.
• If your grass grows best in warmer weather, remove the leaf cover by late spring.

Ensure proper air circulation for your lawn. Insufficient airflow can cause moisture to accumulate, and where excess moisture exists, mushrooms will appear. Purchase an aerator from a home goods store and walk it around your lawn. The machine will break up the compacted soil, allowing more air to reach the ground and promote loosening of the soil.

• Consider aerating the soil with a machine to prevent fungal growth in the damp, moldy environment.

Remove decaying materials that may encourage fungal growth. Eliminate rotting wood and small branches as they provide an ideal environment for fungi. Clean up pet waste from the lawn and any decaying material that could serve as food for mushrooms. After mowing the grass, rake up the clippings or attach a grass catcher to your mower. Clean up pet waste. Chop down remaining tree stumps and remove them.

Identify the fairy ring. The fairy ring is a circle of mushrooms that grow in the grass. While they can often be spotted easily, sometimes the mushroom caps are not visible. In such cases, the fairy ring appears as a darker ring of grass. In some situations, it may manifest as a ring of dead grass.

Determine the depth of the fairy ring's growth. Use a shovel, trowel, or screwdriver to dig around the area with the mushrooms. You may observe a white mat of threads in the soil. This is called the mycelial mat. Depending on the thickness of the mat, different methods may be required to completely eradicate the fairy ring.

Use a lawn aerator if the mycelial mat is less than 8 cm deep. Start aerating about 60 cm outside the ring and gradually work towards the center of the circle.

Dig up the fairy ring if the mycelial mat extends deeper than 8 cm. Use a shovel to dig up the soil containing the fairy ring. Dig to a depth of about 30 cm. After removing the fairy ring, extend the digging area by 30-45 cm in all directions. It is recommended to widen the area by up to 60 cm. Some experts suggest digging from all sides towards the center of the ring.

• While digging, try to identify the cause of the fairy ring. Look for decaying wood, broken bricks, or anything that causes water to accumulate. Eliminate these causes as you dig.

Dispose of the mushrooms and contaminated soil. Avoid spreading fungal spores throughout the garden by throwing everything into a large garbage bag. Secure the bag and place it in the trash bin. Do not add mushrooms or contaminated soil to the compost pile.

Fill the excavated area with fresh soil. Avoid using uncomposted organic matter, as it may contain fungal spores. (Well-composted organic matter is excellent for improving soil drainage and has been sterilized through the decomposition process.)

• If your lawn has heavy clay soil, it is recommended to mix sand into the soil to improve drainage.

Consider using fast-growing grass to speed up the establishment of grass cover on the newly filled soil. Grass will regrow on its own, but it takes time. If you want a lush green lawn quickly, it is advisable to lay fresh sod on the newly filled soil. You can also scatter grass seed over the area.