Why do mushrooms grow in your garden and how can you prevent it?

MUSHROOMS and toadstools are commonly found growing in gardens throughout the Autumn season.

Here’s everything you need to know about why they grow in your garden.

Why do mushrooms grow in your garden?

If mushrooms have invaded your garden this season, you’re not alone.

Mushrooms thrive in humid, warm and wet conditions.

They also do well in decaying organic matter, so if you’ve cut your lawn and stored the cuttings or have a damp log pile, it could provide the perfect home.

Garden expert Laura Andrews at The Planting Company said: “Lots of people believe that mushrooms are a sign of poor lawn health.

“However, they only grow when the soil is healthy, and more importantly, they don’t cause any harm to your grass.”

How do you grow mushrooms in your garden?

To actively grow them, loosen the soil beneath the turf with a garden fork and add extra organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or garden compost.

Avoid chemical fertilisers — mushrooms won’t grow in these conditions.

Also, if you want a garden flush with fungi, don’t mow the lawn.

Short grass dries quicker and provides less moisture for mushrooms to grow.

Aerated lawns are better for drainage and airflow, which also prevents fungus from thriving.

There are numerous ways to grow mushrooms. 

You can buy mushroom spawn to grow in beds or boxes filled with compost or manure.

Alternatively you could choose a mushroom growing kit, which usually includes the spawn and growing media (such as wood shavings or straw). 

If you have access to recently chopped logs, you can buy wooden dowels or plugs that have been impregnated with spawn.

You should drill holes in the log before inserting the plugs or dowels.

getty

Mushrooms grow better in longer grass[/caption]

Can you eat mushrooms that grow in your garden?

Although most species won’t be poisonous, it is best that kids or pets don’t eat them unless you can confidently identify every specific mushroom.

And if you see them growing on trees, you may wish to get an expert involved.

Calum Maddock at HomeHow.co.uk said: “If you see mushrooms growing on the trees in your garden, it’s worth getting in an expert to check them over as it’s usually a sign that they’re dying.”

Laura explained how to remove fungus from lawns, saying: “Pull the mushrooms out of the grass from the base, as this will help stop the spread and will reduce the risk of children or pets eating them.”

How to prevent mushrooms from growing

The best way to prevent mushrooms from growing in your garden is to disrupt the conditions they need to thrive in.

Here are some tips:

Mow the lawn

Mowing your lawn regularly will to keep your grass nice and short will prevent mushrooms from growing.

Saturated soil will encourage mushrooms to grow so keep your grass short to ensure it drys out quicker after a down pour of rain.

Remove sources of food for fungi

Rake up leaves, twigs, grass cuttings and any other waste materials as soon as they appear on your lawn to prevent fungi thriving on organic matter.

De-thatch your lawn

Thatch is actually a layer of dead turf material that wedges underneath living grass.

Thatch can contribute to mushroom growth so if you can prevent thatch you can prevent mushrooms.

Best way to dethatch your garden is by using a thatch busting liquid agent.

Perform aeration

Raking your soil regularly will improve drainage and airflow which helps prevent the waterlogged conditions that mushrooms love.

Reduce shaded areas

Cutting back any overhanging branches will allow more sunlight in your garden.

Sunlight is a vital daily ingredient to keep your soil dry and free of mushrooms.