Why Mushrooms Appear in Your Lawn (and What to Do About Them)

"Most fungi are actually beneficial-- they feed on decaying organic matter, breaking it down to release valuable nutrients back into the soil."

As we transition from the hot, dry conditions of summer into the cooler, wetter fall and winter months, it’s common to see mushrooms pop up in lawns. Many clients ask us why mushrooms grow in their grass and what they should do about them.

Why Mushrooms Appear

Mushrooms thrive in cool, moist, and humid conditions. What you see above ground is just the fruiting body of a much larger underground fungal network (mycelium). Most fungi are actually beneficial—they feed on decaying organic matter, breaking it down and releasing valuable nutrients back into the soil.

Impact on Your Lawn

The good news: mushrooms don’t damage your grass. In fact, they help create healthier soil by improving microbial activity and cycling nutrients. Their presence is usually a sign of a thriving soil ecosystem.

Control Options

• No effective fungicides: There are no fungicides that will eliminate mushrooms.

• Best management: The simplest way to deal with them is to rake or scoop them up with a square-nosed shovel if you find them unsightly.

Fairy Rings – The Exception

• What they are: A circular network of mycelium that pulls nutrients from the soil, compacts it, and makes it hydrophobic (resistant to water).

• Signs: Fairy rings often appear as literal circles of mushrooms, with the grass inside showing stress or decline.

• Management:

  • Aeration can help by relieving compaction and improving water and nutrient movement.

  • Fertilization can support the lawn in recovering.

  • Specialized fungicides may suppress fairy ring but are costly and often temporary.

  • In severe cases, affected areas may need to be removed and replaced with fresh soil and seed.

The Bottom Line

Mushrooms are rarely harmful to your lawn. Most are beneficial, though sometimes unsightly, and are easy to physically remove. Fairy rings are the one exception, requiring more attention and sometimes long-term management.

If you’re seeing mushrooms or fairy rings in your lawn, now is the perfect time to schedule core aeration and fall fertilization. These services will improve soil health, relieve compaction, and strengthen your lawn going into winter.

Contact us today to schedule your fall aeration or fertilizer service and keep your lawn looking its best year-round!