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UMass Extension Landscape Message June 22, 2012

UMass Extension Landscape Message June 22, 2012

"Mushrooms in lawns often develop from thatch, buried logs, dead roots, stumps, or even construction debris. They have many different sizes, colors, shapes, and habits of growth and develop fruiting structures or mushrooms in lawns after prolonged wet weather. The fungi that produce these mushrooms are beneficial because they decompose organic matter in the soil, making nutrients available to other plants. These mushrooms usually are harmless to grasses, but some people consider them unsightly or want to get rid of them because young children play in the area. Neither spray applications nor drenches of fungicides are effective in controlling these mushrooms. Simple way to remove mushrooms is to mow the lawn while collecting the clippings or by raking them up. Elimination of excess thatch and aerating the soil to improve water penetration also helps in some cases. In addition, the mushrooms gradually disappear without interventions if the weather becomes drier."

Claire