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Mushrooms are a natural part of the ecosystem and play a crucial role in breaking down
organic matter and enriching the soil with nutrients. However, while their presence can
indicate that we have healthy soil and a balanced ecosystem, they are not always welcome in
our yards and gardens.
Many homeowners find mushrooms unsightly and worry about their potential toxicity,
especially if there are children or pets around who might accidentally ingest them. Additionally, mushrooms can sometimes signal issues with drainage or waterlogging that need
to be addressed.
By improving soil conditions and reducing moisture, you can make your outdoor areas less
favorable to mushroom growth without resorting to pesticides or harsh chemicals.
Let’s take a look at the most effective ways to prevent mushrooms in your yard:
1. Improve Drainage
Mushrooms love damp, waterlogged areas, so reduce their vigor by allowing rainwater to
drain away freely. Keep land drains clear and use a lawn aerator or garden fork to poke holes in the ground to help water drain more efficiently.
If your soil is particularly heavy or compacted, you may need to repeat this once or twice a year.
2. Remove Mushrooms Manually
Mushrooms have a fascinating life cycle – the mushroom you see above ground is actually the
‘fruit’ of a huge underground network of fungal webs. The mushroom is created to produce spores, which spread widely and establish new fungal networks.
Check your yard at least once a week, especially after rainy periods, to manually remove mushrooms as soon as they appear and prevent them from spreading. Don’t forget to wear gloves, as some mushrooms can be highly toxic!
3. Reduce Watering
Adjust your watering schedule to avoid overwatering your garden beds, containers, and lawn.
Water deeply but infrequently if possible, allowing the soil to dry out between watering
sessions. For many plants, watering once or twice a week is sufficient, depending on your
climate.
4. Increase Sunlight Exposure
Mushrooms thrive in dark, damp environments, so increasing sunlight helps dry
the soil. Trim back trees and shrubs and prune vegetation to allow more sunlight to reach the
ground. Consider lowering the height of garden fences or adding panels of mesh or trellis to
increase the levels of sunlight in your yard.
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5. Collect Grass Clippings
When mowing your lawn, use a bag attachment to collect grass clippings and remove them.
This reduces the amount of mulch and mushroom spores on your grassy areas and will
gradually result in fewer mushrooms in your yard overall.
6. Rake Leaves and Debris
Mushrooms feed on organic matter, such as leaves, stems, and wood. Regularly rake and
remove fallen leaves, branches, and other organic debris from your yard to keep the ground
dry and reduce the amount of organic matter available for mushrooms to feed on.
7. Apply Mulch Sparingly
Mulches are very useful for retaining moisture in the soil, but if you find that you have a lot of
Mushrooms are popping up, so you might benefit from using a thinner layer.
8. Maintain Lawn Health
If mushrooms are a problem on your lawns and grassy areas, this may be a sign that grass is
not in the best health. A robust lawn can outcompete mushrooms for space and resources,
so keep your lawn healthy by regularly fertilizing, mowing, and watering at the appropriate
intervals.
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9. Use Sand
Mushrooms thrive in dense soil with poor drainage. Incorporate sand into your soil in garden
beds and containers to improve drainage, focusing on areas that tend to stay wet. Sand can
also be used to improve drainage in lawns after aeration.
10. Apply Lime
Test your soil’s pH level and, if it’s too acidic, apply lime to raise the pH. Mushrooms prefer
acidic soil, making your yard less hospitable to them. Correcting the pH can also
benefit your garden plants and vegetable crops.
11. Improve Soil Aeration
Use a lawn aerator to create small holes in the soil, allowing it to dry out more effectively. This
also helps plant roots grow deeper, improving lawn health overall. Aerate your lawn once or
twice a year, especially in compacted areas.
12. Compost Properly
High heat levels kill mushroom spores and weed seeds in your compost pile, as well as speed
up the composting process. Ensure your compost pile is well-managed, turning it regularly to
promote complete decomposition and kill any potential mushroom spores.
13. Eliminate Thatch
Thatch is a layer of dead grass and roots on lawns that creates a damp environment where
mushrooms will thrive. Remove thatch annually by raking it out or using a dethatching tool.
14. Use Vinegar Solution
A strong vinegar solution can kill mushroom spores and existing fungal networks. Mix equal
parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply directly to mushrooms in your yard.
Remember that this natural herbicide may also harm surrounding plants, so avoid widespread
spraying.
15. Boiling Water
If mushrooms are popping up in between paving slabs or in graveled areas, pour boiling water
directly onto them to kill them instantly.
16. Avoid Organic Fertilizers with High Nitrogen
Mushrooms feed on nitrogen in decomposing organic matter, so using fertilizers with lower
nitrogen content can reduce their food source.
17. Increase Ventilation
Good airflow in your yard is essential to reduce humidity and slow mushroom growth. Open up
fencing around shaded areas by switching to trellises, wooden slats, or wire mesh.
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