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Mushrooms can be a source of headache for landowners, especially if not treated immediately and properly. Aside from the fact that they look unflattering, they may also damage your plants. They may also be poisonous if eaten by pets and children. You also do not want varieties of mushrooms to grow in your land because they can be smelly. It may attract flies too. In this article, we will discuss the two common ways to prevent mushrooms. It will focus on making your yard inhabitable for mushrooms and sod replacement.
How does it grow?
First, let us discuss how mushrooms grow. These organisms thrive in damp and dark environments that have a lot of decaying matter. They particularly like organic matters such as dead grass, tree trucks, animal waste, and rotting leaves. Mushrooms have spores that can spread when picked, broken, or disturbed. They may also be carried by animals or by the wind. The spores have thread-like roots that become established below the soil.
Mushrooms are the byproduct of processes happening below the soil surface. It is not easy to anticipate their presence until they are already in your yard. It results in the treatment of the symptom and not of the cause. If you see mushrooms in your garden already, remove them by the base. But doing the mechanical way is time-sensitive. If removed too late, the spores may have already become airborne. One can apply a fungicide, but keep in mind that this only offers a solution for a short time. That is why, for fungi troubles, it is recommended to ensure that mushrooms will not thrive in the first place. Or better yet, you may start from scratch through sod replacement.
Lawn Inhabitable to Mushrooms
To prevent mushrooms from sprouting, make your area less ideal to live in for them. First, you may consider watering less frequently, especially in shady areas. It is better to allow it to dry thoroughly before proceeding with your next watering schedule. As a rule of thumb, water deeply but infrequently.
The soil will dry quicker if there is proper airflow. One way to promote this is to aerate your soil. Aeration may also disrupt the growth pattern of the roots of the mushrooms. Another is through removing thatch. You can again mow frequently to prevent moisture accumulation. Shorter grass will dry more quickly than tall grass. Just be careful not to spread mushroom spores while mowing. Rake away any remnants of mushrooms before mowing.
Fertilizer
A nitrogen-rich fertilizer is another great option if you don’t want to resort to sod replacement. Nitrogen will accelerate the decay process of organic matter in the soil. It can help prevent the growth of fungi. Of course, you can also remove organic matter mechanically. Removal of these will ensure that fungi will not have a food source to survive. Do this in shady areas where water will most likely accumulate. You can also lessen shady areas in your yard. Remove any overhanging branches. You can ask for professional help to prune or thin your surrounding trees. Doing this will allow sunlight to reach all areas in your garden.
Another way is to de-thatch. Immediately remove accumulating thatch. Also, remember that there are some waste materials that you cannot see below the soil surface. It is best to dig this up first.
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Sod replacement
Sod replacement is perhaps the most effective way to prevent mushrooms. If you find that mushrooms are still sprouting in your garden, maybe it is time to dig up that specific area. It is advisable to dig at least 12 inches deep into the soil. You will also need to remove 18 inches outside of the affected area. It will ensure that you get all the roots of the mushrooms below the soil surface. After this, you may proceed with sod replacement. Spread new soil and grass. Of course, it follows that with your new sod, you will continue to follow some tips mentioned above to prevent mushrooms from sprouting.
While mushrooms can be an excellent addition to your dishes, it is not the case with your lawn. They can make your lush grass look less attractive. Luckily, there are ways to remove them. If not, to prevent them. Doing so may not always be an easy task. But it will be worth it since the seemingly tedious task of sod replacement and ensuring your area is inhabitable for mushrooms will bring you favorable and lasting results.
If you are having a hard time figuring out what’s going on with your lawn grass, we at My Landscapers have been doing Lawn Replacement throughout Toronto, Markham, Vaughan & Richmond Hill. Our professionals best materials and tools to help your lawn look lush, healthy & green. Request your FREE, no-obligation, detailed estimate today, and one of our landscaping experts will contact you.
