Mushrooms In Lawns

Recent rains in Harper County have created ideal conditions for mushrooms to thrive in home lawns and gardens. While their appearance may be surprising, most mushrooms are relatively harmless to surrounding plant life. The most common sightings include fairy rings or scattered mushrooms throughout the landscape.

Fairy rings appear as arc-shaped or circular patterns in turfgrass, caused by the outward expansion of fungal mycelium beneath the surface. This mycelium forms a dense, mat-like structure in the soil that breaks down organic matter. As it decomposes, it releases nitrates, which stimulate grass growth at the outer edges of the ring—resulting in a distinct dark green border.

Unfortunately, the same fungal mat can hinder water penetration and may produce byproducts that are toxic to nearby grass, often leading to turf dieback around the ring. Fairy rings are notoriously difficult to manage. Although commercial fungicides can help suppress them, these products are not typically available to homeowners.

Scattered mushrooms may be either mycorrhizal—which form beneficial partnerships with tree roots—or saprophytic, meaning they break down dead organic materials like buried wood. While their appearance may seem alarming, it’s generally not advisable to kill them. Fungicides are usually ineffective because the visible mushroom is just the fruiting body—the bulk of the fungus remains underground where chemicals can't reach.

If mushrooms become an eyesore, the best course of action is to remove them by hand as they appear. If that’s not feasible, mowing them off is also an option. With recent hot and windy weather, the soil will soon dry out and mushrooms will likely disappear on their own. In most cases, patience is the best remedy.

Lastly, while some lawn mushrooms are edible, others can be extremely toxic. Never consume wild mushrooms unless you're absolutely certain of their identity.

For more information reach out to me at jlcarr@ksu.edu.