Marianne's Response

Why Do I Have White Mushrooms in My Lawn?

I am rural. Mushrooms here and there are not unusual. HOWEVER, after this long, hot, dry summer I now have mushrooms that look like button mushrooms everywhere! They popped up on my lawn about 4 days after our first good rainfall at the end of September. I have not seen these before. I never had mushrooms on my front lawn before. I don’t know/or pick mushrooms but I’m guessing they are a white button mushroom. They multiply rapidly and grow quickly. They are as abundant as unchecked dandelions! Any idea what they are? Why did they show up? What should/could I do about them? Most importantly what should I NOT do to or with them?

Posted by vickie ward on October 8, 2023

Marianne's Response

No worries, the sudden appearance of mushrooms after a rain is just Mother Nature at work. The mushroom spores can lie dormant in the soil for years until a fall rain and the perfect soil temperature activates the spores. You can mow your lawn or kick over the mushrooms so they don't spread. Adding organic matter such as compost to your soil will increase the odds of a mushroom bloom. They will disappear on their own when the ground freezes or the soil dries.  Some mushrooms are deadly poisonous and some are delicious but do not eat or handle any volunteer mushrooms unless you have them identified by an expert.   Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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