Mushrooms appearing on UK lawns this autumn, experts say

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 11:29 · Archive

Mushrooms and toadstools are appearing across UK lawns in autumn, thriving in damp and shady conditions.

Mushrooms and toadstools are appearing across UK lawns this autumn, according to lawn care experts. The fungi thrive in the damp, shady conditions that become more common during October. Fallen leaves, poor drainage and a build-up of organic material can also encourage fungi to appear, particularly in areas of the garden that receive little sunlight.

Jonathan Davis, a lawn expert at Lawnsmith, explained that lack of sunlight often leads to moisture buildup. 'Fungi, such as toadstools, love low light and damp conditions,' he said. 'You also see toadstools among moss on your lawn, as it also thrives in similar conditions.'

Lawn debris can make the problem worse, with fallen leaves providing decomposing organic material on which fungi feed. Finding toadstools in the grass is not necessarily a reason to panic. Mr Davis said they do not directly harm the lawn, though they are unsightly and 'if left on the lawn, they can spread, eventually causing wider issues later in the season.'

One type gardeners may notice is a fairy ring – a circular pattern of mushrooms or changes in grass growth caused by fungal activity beneath the lawn. Fairy rings are fungal colonies distinguished by their circular arrangement on the lawn's surface.

It is worth remembering that some wild mushrooms and toadstools are poisonous. Gardeners should keep children and pets away from unidentified fungi and not eat them. Various methods exist to remove mushrooms and reduce the conditions that encourage further growth.

How it is being reported

• Why mushrooms are suddenly growing on your lawn – and how to tackle themMushrooms and toadstools are appearing on UK lawns this autumn. Lawn experts explain why they grow and how to remove them.Swindon Advertiser · 19 Oct, 11:01
• Why mushrooms are suddenly growing on your lawn – and how to tackle themMushrooms and toadstools are appearing on UK lawns this autumn. Lawn experts explain why they grow and how to remove them.Gazette & Herald · 19 Oct, 11:01
• Why mushrooms are suddenly growing on your lawn – and how to tackle themMushrooms and toadstools are appearing on UK lawns this autumn. Lawn experts explain why they grow and how to remove them.This Is Wiltshire · 19 Oct, 11:01
• Why mushrooms are suddenly growing on your lawn – and how to tackle themMushrooms and toadstools are appearing on UK lawns this autumn. Lawn experts explain why they grow and how to remove them.Wiltshire Times · 19 Oct, 11:01

In this story: Lawnsmith · Jonathan Davis · UK

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