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mushrooms on lawn | (Read 1713 times) |
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ang3714
Posts: 1
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July 27, 2006, 09:00:20 PM |
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I read your information about mushrooms but had a few questions. Do I try to remove the mushrooms or do I let them die out? I have mushrooms that are standing and also clumps of them in lines close to the ground. We had alot of rain recently when I noticed the abundance of mushrooms taking up residence on my lawn. Our lawn is relatively new sod that was laid just over a month ago. Please help. Thanks!
Angie
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paul wheaton
Administrator
Posts: 1471
western WA
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July 28, 2006, 11:47:23 AM |
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The mushrooms that are in lines --- I'll bet that if you look closely, it's actually a large circle. Maybe six feet in diameter!
I would let them go. You're probably watering your new sod a lot until it gets roots well established. When the excess water stops, so will the mushrooms.
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snufflet
Posts: 6
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August 19, 2007, 08:45:25 PM |
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I live in Chicagoland (4 brutal seasons) and I have a new house for a year now. Seeing shrooms sporadically here and there... some shady, some sunny areas, no real pattern. Any quick fix?
Also, had a stump removed in the spring, added soil and new seed to an area 20' by 20'... mainly sunny. Grass came in fine, but now I have shrooms up the wazoo. I realize the decaying stump and its chips are to blame... but for how long? One year? Two? Forever?
When removing the shrooms, am I actually spreading the spores and making it worse??? Should I employ 'careful handling' techniques? 
I have kids toddling around and really want the mush gone. Plus that spot is right in front of the front door and stoop. Thanks in advance. Also, I read through your site for quite some time and I am impressed and getting inspired to change some of my ways...... FYI.
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paul wheaton
Administrator
Posts: 1471
western WA
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August 19, 2007, 09:19:08 PM |
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Shrooms love the woody stuff. And moisture.
I don't remember ever seeing mushrooms in a tall, thick green turf.
How high have you been mowing?
How much have you been watering?
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snufflet
Posts: 6
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August 19, 2007, 09:38:42 PM |
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Wow, thanks for the prompt reply...
The house/lawn is 22 years old, the prior owner did not keep it up that well when we moved in last summer. I have done tons to make it thicker, greener, and less weedy. This spring I got a new Honda mower w/ the 4 blades and the mulching plug, it works well and uses half the gas of my old Toro. I have bagged only twice. I have the wheels on the 2nd to highest position (out of 7 positions I believe)...
I've used the Scott's fertilizers, but I did not put down the crabgrass preventer in the spring because I knew I had many spots to dig up and re-seed, and right on the packaging it states that new seeds will also be challenged by the preventer. That is a battle for next spring, that crazy crabgrass... I plan on sending in for my soil specs sometime. Oh yeah, and we have those tiny little ants everywhere. The whole 'hood does.
Back to mushrooms -- Surprisingly, we have had a ton of rain/storms here in Chicagoland for the past few days... This has no doubt been a catalyst for the beaucoup shroom breakout lately. So again, my main concern is removal. Am I spreading spores and making it worse in your opinion? My second concern is long-term control and/or removal of them... Should I add nitrogen? Man, I truly want the lazy lawn lifestyle but it is work to set it straight....... So, am I spreading shrooms by removing/handling them?
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paul wheaton
Administrator
Posts: 1471
western WA
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August 20, 2007, 07:27:49 AM |
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Are the ants causing a problem? There are things you can do about the ants, but the cheapest and laziest thing to do is nothing at all.
The spores are going to spread no matter what you do. I had mushrooms a couple of times in the past. I just left them and they seemed to leave on their own accord. But I might be a bit of a weirdo in your world - I think they're cool. I think they are a sign of healthy, rich soil. They don't stick around very long and in a tall, thick turf, they either cannot get started, or they just cannot get above the turf - but I cannot remember seeing mushrooms in a tall, thick turf. I see them in poor lawns, gardens, in landscaping, etc.
So my advice is: focus on a tall, thick turf and I think your mushroom problem will stop being a problem. They will probably still be there - but you just won't see them.
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Jody B
Posts: 15
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August 20, 2007, 03:05:53 PM |
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I seem to remember that healthy lawns lean more toward bacterial and less toward fungal. The fungus is a sign that there is an excess of carbon that it is trying to break down. This can be found in wood chips,thatch, and wet soils help it along. I would try aerating to break up the thatch layer and allow for better drainage. Only do this when temperatures are below 80 degrees and above freezing as to not expose grass roots to harsh conditions.
Fertilizing in some way may help as well.
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snufflet
Posts: 6
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August 20, 2007, 08:44:01 PM |
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Thanks, guys... Here's my plan:
Having been here only a full year now, I am working on the thick, full turf approach. I will have the lawn aerated in the early fall when those temps are optimal. I know that will help the overall health. Can I aerate in the fall and in the spring? The ants are not in those mushroom areas, I just mentioned them because they are always on my mind when I ponder all things "yard"...
So, I guess that I will just carefully pluck out the mushrooms that bother me and leave the rest. I would also like to get organic or at least close to organic going into the winter months...
I have really picked up on the common theme in all of your collective responses... just do some research, take the time, and do the work. I tell ya, I can already attest to the effectiveness of hand-picking weeds. The work stinks but the results are solid. Hopefully this next season I can do the hard work getting it all healthy so that Ma Nature can do the rest...... Thx.
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