Mushrooms & Toadstools
Mushrooms found in lawns often develop from feeding on buried scraps of construction lumber, dead tree roots, or other organic matter. Some people consider them unsightly or want to get rid of them because of concerns for pets and young children touching or eating them.
The growth of mushrooms in the lawn often appears as a circular shape. This is because fungi grow from a central point outward. Each year as the fungus grows, the circle expands. Most mushrooms do not damage the lawn, but fairy ring fungi can become a problem.
With fairy ring fungi you will have areas of dark green or dying grass that are circular or arc-shaped. The grass in the area bordering it is often a dark green color and has mushrooms growing in it. Fairy ring fungi can damage a lawn by causing localized drought stress, since their fungal strands or mycelia make the soil repel water and more difficult to control. Watering to saturate the soil for several hours and over several days may help. Aerate the lawn to allow more water to reach the roots.
Mushrooms will disappear on their own when the weather becomes dryer. Although the mushrooms will no longer be evident in your yard, the fungal growth will slow and remain.
Treatments
Consan 20 is the only product I know of that lists mushrooms, toadstools, and fairy ring for homeowners.
Simply mix 1.5 teaspoons of Consan 20 and 2 teaspoons of Spreader Sticker per gallon of water (we need this to penetrate the thatch and soil). Do Not mix in a Sprayer, mix in a bucket or a sprinkle can. Saturate the entire area where you see the mushrooms, then water in. You will see wilted mushrooms within hours. If you think you have a fairy ring, core aerate that area as deep as you can, before making your application and I would repeat the application 10 to 14 days later.
I also get asked if it will work on mushrooms growing in mulch. Yes, it will! You can improve water penetration and speed up the decomposition of organic matter, reducing the number of mushrooms, with Soil Activator or Top Dressing.
Apply and water in 14 days after you apply Consan 20. If you have fairy ring apply in the spring and the fall, core aerating before or after each application. Two seasons of this should be sufficient to allow you to do only one application per year.
Apply and water in 14 days after you apply Consan 20. If you have fairy ring apply in the spring and the fall, core aerating before or after each application. Two seasons of this should be sufficient to allow you to do only one application per year.
Contact us or stop by to talk to the experts at The Big Tool Box for solutions to mushrooms and toadstools.
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