Why Are Mushrooms Growing in Your Lawn?
Mushrooms look strange but usually aren’t a threat. We’ll explain what’s causing them and when they actually need attention.
Symptom overview
What This Looks Like
Mushrooms popping up in your lawn look alarming, but they’re usually a sign of healthy soil biology. They feed on decaying organic matter underground and thrive after rain. In most cases, they’re harmless.
Possible causes
What Could Be Causing This
Decaying Organic Matter Underground
Buried tree roots, old stumps, construction wood, or thick thatch layers provide food for fungi. Mushrooms are just the visible fruiting body of a much larger fungal network decomposing material below the surface.
Excess Moisture
Heavy rain, overwatering, or poor drainage creates the damp conditions mushrooms need to fruit. They’re most common after extended rainy periods in Middle Georgia, especially in shaded areas that stay wet longer.
Fairy Ring
Fairy ring is a specific fungal condition that creates dark green circles or arcs in the lawn, often with mushrooms growing along the ring. Unlike random mushrooms, fairy ring can damage turf by creating a water-repellent layer in the soil.
Learn moreHeavy Thatch Layer
A thick thatch layer holds moisture and provides organic material for fungi. Zoysia lawns in Middle Georgia are especially prone to thatch buildup, which creates ideal mushroom conditions.
Diagnose it
Narrow Down the Cause
Are the mushrooms growing in a circle or arc pattern?
This is likely fairy ring, which is a specific lawn disease that can stress the turf. It warrants professional treatment to prevent the soil from becoming hydrophobic.
Random mushroom clusters are almost always harmless and are feeding on buried organic matter.
Did the mushrooms appear after heavy rain?
Moisture-triggered mushrooms are cosmetic only. They’ll die back as the soil dries out. You can knock them down with a mower or rake.
Persistent mushrooms without rain may indicate a buried organic source (old stump, construction debris) or chronically wet soil from drainage issues.
Is the grass around the mushrooms darker green, brown, or normal?
Darker green or brown grass near mushrooms suggests fairy ring or a buried decomposition source affecting soil chemistry in that area.
Healthy grass around the mushrooms means the fungi aren’t harming the turf. They’re just doing their job breaking down organic matter.
Still not sure? A professional lawn assessment takes the guesswork out of it.
Get QuoteSeasonal timing
When This Is Most Common
Mushrooms in Middle Georgia lawns are most common from late spring through early fall, especially after summer thunderstorms. They thrive when temperatures are warm and soil stays wet for extended periods. They typically disappear on their own within a few days as conditions dry out.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lawn mushrooms dangerous to kids or pets?
Some lawn mushrooms can be toxic if eaten. We always recommend removing them if you have small children or pets that might put them in their mouths. Knock them down before mowing to avoid spreading spores, and pick up the pieces.
How do I get rid of mushrooms in my lawn?
You can’t eliminate the underground fungal network, but you can reduce mushroom fruiting by improving drainage, reducing irrigation, and removing buried organic debris. Fungicides are generally not effective against lawn mushrooms because the fungal body is deep in the soil.
Do mushrooms mean my soil is bad?
The opposite, actually. Mushrooms indicate an active soil biology that’s breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients. A lawn with mushrooms after rain usually has healthier soil than one without them.
Related problems
Other Lawn Problems to Consider
Take action
Stop Guessing and Start Fixing
Every lawn problem has a solution. Get a professional diagnosis and targeted treatment plan from Attaboy Lawn Care.
