Lawn mushrooms will 'flourish' unless gardeners follow simple 5-step method to stop spores

By Millie Bull, Deputy Lifestyle Editor

Mushrooms grow on lawns due to too much moisture in the soil (Image: Getty)

While mushrooms on your lawn are unsightly, they are actually a sign that your soil is of good quality and organic matter is breaking down.

Toadstools and mushrooms mainly appear on lawns where it is damp and shady or if there is lots of moss.

If there are food sources for fungi on your lawn such as organic waste material, they will grow larger.

Luckily, gardening expert The Mediterranean Gardener has shared a short video explaining exactly how to prevent mushrooms from growing on your lawns in autumn.

He said it's not uncommon for a garden to contain animal waste, dead grass, dead leaves and subterranean roots.

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"All of these things are great food for fungus," he said.

If you want to limit their appearance, there are several things gardeners can do.

1. Improve lawn drainage

Mushrooms "flourish" in moist conditions. Gardeners can aerate their lawns and, if necessary, can amend their lawns with sand.

2. Removing thatch

Removing thatch and mowing the lawn short will help improve the lawn's air flow and sunlight penetration to the soil.

Toadstools and mushrooms mainly appear on lawns where it is damp and shady (Image: Getty)

3. Clear your lawn

Removing organic materials like glass clippings and fallen leaves will also help reduce moisture.

4. Don't water

Don't water lawns in the evening as this can help create the perfect environment for mushroom "spores to become active".

5. Apply fungicide treatment

He said: "This will penetrate into your soil and tackle dormant mushroom spores sitting in the soil."