There are over 100,000 different species of mushrooms in different environments.
Often, these mushrooms start growing on their own in your yard.
This case is different from intentionally growing mushrooms. If the mushrooms have started growing in your yard, your yard needs proper attention. Discover what triggers the mushroom growth in your yard and how to eliminate them.
Why Do Mushrooms Start Growing? – General Causes
Fungus like mushrooms can appear in our gardens due to multiple reasons, the most common being:
- Weather phenomena: fungi are prone to appear in humid climates in low light, so frequent rainfall and puddle formations or water stagnation can cause their appearance.
- Accumulation of organic waste or remains: decomposing organic matter is a source of infection and the appearance of fungi. So, if we do not lawn care for our gardens and allow organic waste to accumulate, this includes fallen fruits from trees. Most likely, fungi invade our garden.
- Fertilizer application: we have to know that, after all, our garden constitutes a small ecosystem, so any alteration in one of its components can cause changes in the rest. Thus, when we excessively apply fertilizers, fertilizers, and nutrients to ensure the growth of our plants, what we achieve in most cases is just the opposite effect, the appearance of fungi. This is due to the high amount of organic waste that fertilizers and fertilizers have in their composition.
- Excessive irrigation: in the same way that excessive rainfall and the accumulation of water can favor the appearance of fungi in our gardens, inadequate or excessive irrigation techniques can cause the same effect.
- New plantations: in the early stages of growth and development, plants and grass are vulnerable to any change because their roots have not yet fully developed, being more vulnerable to the attack of possible fungi.
Why Do Mushrooms Grow In My Yard?
Are you having mushrooms in your yard? If your answer is yes, then there is nothing to worry about. Mushrooms can start growing in any yard or garden, and these types of fungi are known as witch circles.
The presence of these mushrooms might be a shock for you. They will scatter around in your yard. However, the solution to this problem is not so easy.
Moreover, it would be best if you did not listen to other people’s remedies. They will not work for you in any way. For instance, some growers suggest using lime, but it is ineffective.
Some people believe lime is an excellent remedy for mushrooms growing in the yard for a reason. The fungi’s presence is connected with acidic soil.
Nevertheless, lime is a form of alkaline. When you use it in your yard, then the pH value of your soil will maximize. In this way, some of the mushrooms may disappear.
It may seem that lime is working, yet it is not. In actuality, the fungi do not get affected by the increase in soil pH.
Fungi can quickly develop in acidic, basic, or neutral soil. Lime will be wasting your money and time, nothing else. Not just that, lime can destroy the plants and grass of your yard to the maximum.
The disappearance of the mushrooms seems like the lime is working, yet it is not. The mushrooms disappear because they are pretty temporary.
If they disappear in one place, they will start growing in the other. The main thing you have to do is target the fungi affecting your yard.
Mushrooms: Better To Learn To Tolerate Them
If you have mushrooms in your yard, it is better to learn to tolerate them. Because it is challenging to control the fungi so quickly, you can mow them up if they bother you.
The mushrooms showing up are the fruiting bodies of the fungus. They are coming out from the soil so that they can multiply themselves.
With time, they will start covering your whole yard. The appearance of these mushrooms lawn will be pleasant, so it is better not to do anything.
When it comes to eating these mushrooms, you should not do it. These mushrooms are not healthy at all. They appeared because of fungi. For that reason, you should never think of eating them up.
If you have kids or pets at home, mowing the mushrooms will be a good idea for you. Otherwise, the kids may fall, or the pets may chew these mushrooms.
Other Ineffective Treatment
Some gardeners try to control fungi growing with fungicides in their yards or gardens. Several are designed for use in the garden, especially in yards. And since mushrooms are fungi, shouldn’t fungicides kill them?
But that is to misunderstand how the product works.
Yard fungicides treat fungi that infest plant leaves, cryptogamic diseases that cause leaves to turn brown, yellow, or yellow, and not well-buried mycelia. It will be just wasting your cash again.
Efficient Treatment But Full Of Effort
You can use some practical techniques if you have to destroy the fungus.
If the fungus in your yard is saprophytic, it will live on the deadwood. All you have to do is locate and eliminate it from the origin.
Mostly, it is present next to the surface. Nonetheless, it could be 1 meter deep.
If it is a witch’s circle, you can remove all the earth in the circle and up to 30 cm outside to a depth of 30 to 60 cm.
Let the presence of white mycelium in the soil guide you to the required depth.
Afterward, you have to swap the soil collected with new soil. You need to measure some rounds like 2 meters or excess in diameter; it is quite a task!
At times, this technique will not work. What do you want? The mycelium of the fungus is not always easily accessible.
A Trick For Witch Circles In The Grass
To camouflage a little the existence of the witch’s circle, better maintain your yard. It is that the yard in the same circle is often fresh and green compared to the other.
The fungus releases nitrogen, and nitrogen makes the yard green, giving a yard marked with green circles on a yellowish-green background.
However, if you fertilize, topdress, air, and maintain your yard, it will stay beautiful and green. Besides, it will be enough to mow the sporophores to restore a beautiful appearance.
For Lazy Gardeners
Well, you should not do anything. Mow the mushrooms if they disturb you or your dog or cat risks eating them. However, accept that it’s simply Mother Nature who does her work!
How To Treat A Yard Against Mushrooms?
Fungi can affect yards in various ways, including irregular brown spots, unsightly gray areas, streaked areas of red streaky areas, or orange dusting.
When fungi appear in the yard, you must react as quickly as possible to prevent them from completely invading it.
After treating your yard, it is essential to take preventive measures, for example, by improving the drainage and aeration of the soil. It is always better to prevent than cure, which is particularly clear when combating the proliferation of fungi in a yard.
You could also use fungicides, chemicals, or organic.
Don’t Overwater Your Yard
You should not bring more than 3 cm of water height per square meter (30l) per week. Most fungi, including Pythium species, thrive in very humid environments.
You must, however, ensure that your yard does not dry out, as it could then be attacked by mycelia (or white fungus), which are responsible for most of the diseases known as “rust.”
Water your yard at dawn to absorb all the water it needs, and dry it before the afternoon.
Avoid Anything That Can Facilitate The Dispersal Of The Mushrooms
It is effortless to unintentionally spread fungi in a yard, for example, by walking on them. Some people use dirty gardening tools after they have been used in an infected area.
Bring Fertilizers To Your Yard
The grass can weaken and become very vulnerable to fungi if it does not have enough nitrogen and potassium. They can restore strength to the grass, which can then fight against corticosteroid fungi and many other species.
You should also be aware that the overuse of fertilizers can weaken your yard. It is essential to follow the recommendations written on the product packaging. Preferably use a fertilizer that slowly releases nutrients and contains little nitrogen to prevent the development of fungi such as Typhus.
A yard lacking nitrogen is more likely to be attacked by fungi, but an overdose of this element can have even more harmful effects.
Do Not Cut The Grass Too Short
Set the mower blade to the highest cutting height and never cut more than a third of the height of the edges of the grass. The yard should remain dense and lush.
The young strands are short, tender, and more fragile when faced with fungi. Older strands are larger and thicker, and more resistant to these organisms. Ensure the mower blade is sharp and clean before you start mowing.
A dull blade can only weaken the grass by pulling excessively on the blades. A soiled blade can spread disease.
If it is likely to snow, cut the grass a little shorter than usual. Avoid leaving clippings in the yard or keeping the grass too tall in winter not to promote the development of fungi.
Let Things Happen In Their Time
Many mold or other fungi problems resolve if the yard is well maintained.
In general, Typhulas disappear when the temperature rises above 4 ° C, especially if it rises quickly. Similarly, corticosteroid mushrooms disappear when summer arrives while the air becomes warmer and drier. Even if these diseases make the yard look bad, they are not necessarily fatal.
In The Fall, Shred The Leaves That Fall On The Yard
Do not allow a thick layer of leaves to accumulate on the grass, as it would facilitate the development of Typhulas or other fungi that like humidity, darkness, and cold.
Remove the leaves from the yard as they fall to prevent them from accumulating. You could also run the mower over a layer of leaves to cut them into small pieces.
Do Not Leave The Mulch In The Yard
Remove dead blades of grass, leaves, roots, and stems from plants that can smother the soil. Poorly ventilated soil is more likely to be overgrown with fungi, which is why this is a preventive measure.
Removing mulch can prevent the development of necrotic circular spots, softening of the soil, and its blackening, which can damage the yard.
Take Care Of The Top Layer Of The Soil To Improve Its Quality
You can cover it with elements that nourish and promote drainage. Thus, the grass will have more facilities to grow.
These materials often include sand, silt, topsoil, peat, or compost that contains many food supplements. Pour them thinly on the yard’s ground, then pass the rake.
Apply A Fungicide Product To The Yard
Before purchasing and applying a fungicide, you must determine the fungi that affect your yard. Some fungi are resistant to certain chemicals, while others are immediately weakened. It would help if you did this at least once every two weeks.
Try An Organic Fungicide
If you prefer not to use chemicals, you can turn to natural substances, especially if the mushrooms are still small. The most commonly used natural products include neem oil, liquid manure, and baking soda solutions.
