Lawn Funghi

One of the most frequently asked questions we get from homeowners is what can we do about lawn funghi?

Lawn mushroom and toadstools appearing in the lawn are actually fairly common. And they are often an indicator of healthy soil.

They are not harmful to the lawn but, for many people who strive to have attractive green grass, they are an unwanted guest.

Why do lawn mushroom and toadstools appear in lawns?

It is quite common for mushrooms to appear in lawns if there has been some degree of disturbance of the soil.

Often newly laid lawn turf or seeded lawns can suffer from this problem for a while.

This is because the fungus spores have been triggered during the landscaping process. Mushrooms and toadstools are the fruit of the fungus.

This tends to settle down after a period and should not persist as a long-term problem.

Some will not fruit again for several years and only appearing for a few weeks when they do return.

However, you may find it frustrating to have spent time and money on a beautiful new lawn, only to find it spotted with mushrooms.

Moist, humid, and shady conditions are ideal for mushrooms to thrive, so you may find them more commonly in lawns lacking in sunlight or those with poor drainage.

How can I treat or control lawn mushroom or toadstools in my lawn?

The best method of control is to spray with a fungicide product to target the funghi.

You can also brush the toadstools off as and when they appear.

This will ensure that they are removed before they have an opportunity to produce their spores (seeds).

Once removed from an area it is unlikely that they will return too often.

A fungicide product can help control the problem, but there are no chemical treatments that will effectively eradicate lawn mushroom or toadstools.

Realistically they cannot be dug out due to their deep and far-reaching rooting system.

However, mushrooms do love carbon-rich soil, so you should avoid leaving lawn clippings and piles of leaves on the lawn.

This abundance of organic matter is a feast for developing funghi and can make them grow faster and larger.

Like with many other lawn diseases and pests, if the underlying conditions causing these problems are addressed, then they are less likely to happen in future.

Ensuring the lawn gets enough light will help to increase the overall health of the lawn and make it more resilient.

You can do this by regularly mowing the lawn, watering correctly, lawn aeration and dethatching.

What if I have a persistent lawn mushroom or toadstools problem?

If they do re-appear in the same place regularly, this is possibly an indication of an abundance of organic matter, or funghi spores.

The most likely cause is the presence of decaying organic matter such as a dead tree stump or tree roots.

In this situation, the only solution to the problem is to dig out the entire area to a depth of approximately 40cm or more.

You will then need to remove the decaying organic matter and replace it with fresh soil, followed by lawn overseeding or laying new lawn turf.