Why Do Mushrooms Appear in Lawns?

What most people don’t realize about mushrooms is that they're actually not individual organisms. They're just the “fruiting bodies” of a much larger thread-like network of fungal mycelium that exists in the soil. This fungal network naturally occurs in most yards and gardens. It feeds on the organic matter in the soil, helping to break it down into nutrients that plants and beneficial microbes need.

These fungi may go unnoticed for years or even decades. That is, of course, until the environmental conditions are just right and mushrooms begin to sprout above ground, much like flowers that bloom only after a heavy rain.

Mushrooms typically thrive in rich soil, so finding mushrooms on your property is actually a good indicator that your soil is healthy and filled with organic matter. However, the presence of mushrooms may also be a sign that there’s an imbalance in your yard that needs fixing.

Are Mushrooms in Your Lawn Bad?

The short answer is no. Most of the mushrooms you’ll find in your yard or garden won’t harm your soil or your plants. These fungi are actually an asset because they are nature’s decomposers of old plant and animal matter.

If anything, mushrooms may be considered to be a nuisance in some spaces, but they generally don’t require any intervention. It is important to note, however, that common yard mushrooms such as lawn mower mushrooms (Panaeolina foenisecii) are not edible and some are even toxic to humans and pets. If you have curious children and pets are around, you should remove these mushrooms for safety reasons.

And while mushrooms in your lawn generally don't indicate a problem, if they appear to growing up from tree roots, it could mean that the tree is beginning to rot. To keep the tree from becoming a falling hazard, it should be removed either by you or by an arborist.

Tips for Removing and Controlling Mushrooms

Beneath the soil, mushroom mycelial networks are so extensive that there’s no effective way to permanently remove all of it. Fungicides aren’t recommended for treating lawn mushrooms either, as they usually don’t work well and may damage the beneficial microbes in your yard that plants rely on.

Here are tips for removing mushrooms and making them less likely to return.

1. Remove Mushrooms by Hand

If you want mushrooms gone quickly, either for aesthetics or safety reasons, your best bet is to remove the mushrooms by hand and dispose of them in a trash bag. This helps keep their spores from spreading and creating more mushrooms in the future. You may want to wear gloves during this process, as some mushrooms are toxic.

2. Don’t Mow Mushrooms

Although it's tempting to remove mushrooms by trimming them down with your lawnmower, this can actually spread mushroom spores and make mushroom problems worse in the future.

3. Be Patient

Mushroom mycelium is underground all the time, but mushrooms only appear above the soil when the environmental conditions favor their growth. Since mushrooms prefer damp, warm weather, they’ll usually go away on their own as soon as the weather dries out. Mushrooms may, however, return when the weather is damp until the organic matter in the soil that’s fueling their growth is reduced.

4. Increase Light

Some mushrooms grow in bright sun, but the majority are found in shady spots. If you have an ongoing issue with mushrooms in your yard, you may want to trim overgrown hedges and trees to open your space up to more light.

5. Fix Drainage Issues

In poorly draining areas with compacted soil, mushrooms are also more likely to sprout. Fixing drainage issues with grading and trenches, and aerating your soil from time to time, helps water flow better and makes your yard less attractive to mushrooms. While you’re at it, you may also want to reconsider your watering schedule and potentially cut down on watering your lawn and avoid overwatering your garden.

6. Reduce Organic Matter

Having lots of organic matter in your soil is usually a good thing. But if you’re trying to get rid of mushrooms, reduce some of that organic matter by picking up sticks, twigs, and pet waste, dethatching your lawn, raking up leaves and grass clippings, and reducing the use of compost, manure, and mulch in areas where mushrooms are growing. Over time, this will make your garden and lawn less hospitable to mushrooms and less likely to sprout.