The consistent rains this summer have produced many positive results. The lawn grass is greener and growing fast enough to require weekly mowing, temperatures notwithstanding.
Vegetables in the summer garden and fruit trees in the home orchard are flourishing under the ample precipitation. Shrubs and trees in residential landscapes have little to no need for supplemental irrigation, which helps with the monthly budget by reducing the water bill.
However, mushrooms are taking advantage of these conditions too. The current explosion of mushroom appearances in lawns and landscapes is a direct result of the wet weather that has delivered the much-appreciated rains.
Mushrooms, along with any weeds present, will appear between mowing. While they do no damage to the turf, they can be an indication that conditions are right for fungal diseases in the grass.
To a mycologist (someone formally educated about mushrooms), a mushroom could be described as a fleshy to leathery Basidiomycota with a normally umbrella-shaped sporulating structure, usually possessing a stalk topped by a cap or pileus. The underside of the cap bears either gills or pores, which form spores inside.
But the description in the previous paragraph would be lost on most residents, and it is a generalization with some notable exceptions.
Because of their size, shape, bright color variations, and passing nature, mushrooms have long been a fascination to a variety of people with an array of motivations. These fungi have long been the subject of legends and lore in most civilizations.
In children’s stories, countless faeries, gnomes and leprechauns have lived in or around these fungi. Many an unsuspecting youth has been granted a special wish for not destroying the mushroom abode of a forest sprite.
The reality is most homeowners and landscape managers consider them a blemish, special wishes notwithstanding, on the otherwise perfect and highly manicured turf. Other than the cosmetic issue, mushrooms and toadstools rarely cause a landscape any substantial damage.
To the landscape obsessed, making them disappear as fast as they seemingly appeared is the only supernatural or mystic quality of interest. Random shapes and patterns of white or earth tones is frowned upon by those fixated with uniformity.
Extreme caution should be used to correctly identify any mushrooms before consuming. There are many toxic species which grow in the panhandle. Consumption by humans, pets or other mammals will result in very unpleasant symptoms and is not recommended in the strongest terms.
The appearance of mushrooms in a lawn can be an early warning sign of real problems. The puffy growths mean conditions are right for the emergence of fungal diseases which can damage a landscape’s turf and shrubs.
Most lawn mushrooms feed on damp, decomposing grass clippings or other cellulose-based detritus. Collecting grass clippings and mulching away from the lawn will reduce the prospect of mushrooms or some other fungi appearing.
If possible, enjoy their delicate beauty rather than attempting to control mushrooms with fungicides. When they are past their prime, remove them to a compost pile.
Mowing will remove them from the landscape, but they will return as the spores are easily spread. When environmental conditions are right, they will sprout again.
There is an interest by some in the culinary aspects of wild mushrooms. Extreme caution should be used to correctly identify any before consuming.
There are many toxic mushrooms which grow in the area. Consumption by humans, pets or other mammals will result in very unpleasant symptoms and is not recommended in the strongest terms.
It is safest to leave the taste-testing to the faeries and trolls which live under these native fungi and instead head to the supermarket for purchase.
Leave a Reply