You step outside after a rainy spell to find an unexpected sight: small, round growths in the lawn – mushrooms. This is a common garden phenomenon that usually occurs when the conditions are right: enough moisture, shade or cloudy weather, and rich organic material in the soil. Mushrooms are actually a good sign, as they help break down organic matter and make the soil healthier. However, they can be a nuisance in the lawn, and it is important to know how to minimize them without harming your turf.

What Are Ground Mushrooms and How Are They Used in Coffee

The first thing to remember is that fungi, like ground mushrooms, thrive in shaded and damp conditions. They can even grow on top of a layer of thatch in your lawn, which is why it is important to rake and aerate frequently. Aerating improves drainage, decreasing the amount of moisture in shady and damp areas. Another way to reduce the amount of fungus in your yard is to trim back and thin out nearby trees and shrubs that limit sunlight. This will also help reduce the amount of rotting material in the ground, which is a major food source for fungus.

To encourage their mushroom growth in the best possible conditions, Jeremy and Aimee use a technique called “shocking.” They inoculate logs with a bit of mushroom mycelium, and then they sit in a tented space with tidy stacks of logs (called bolts) that are ready to fruit. Heavy rains can trigger the fruiting process, and the resulting mushrooms are harvested as they emerge from the ground.