How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in Your Yard - MA

By Jorge Melo

Mushrooms can appear almost overnight. One long stretch of rain and your lawn may look like a scattering of small umbrellas rising through the grass. It surprises homeowners every season. In our 35 years of business, we have seen this pattern dozens of times across Massachusetts yards.

The fastest way to kill mushrooms in your yard is to control moisture, increase sunlight where possible, and reduce the organic material feeding the underground fungus. When you take control of water, shade, airflow, and soil conditions, the mushrooms stop appearing. You do not need to pull them out by hand. Your mower will break them down, and they will disappear once the conditions change.

Mushrooms are not a sign of lawn failure. They often show that your soil is rich, active, and full of organic matter. In Massachusetts, mushrooms most often appear during rainy spring weeks, humid summer stretches, and long fall storms when the ground stays wet for days.

This guide explains how to kill mushrooms in your yard, why they grow, and how to prevent them from returning. It also includes local insight from the types of calls we receive from homeowners using lawn care services near New Bedford, MA, who experience these issues every year.

How To Get Rid of Pesky Mushrooms in Your MA Lawn

Identifying lawn mushrooms

Mushrooms growing in the grass come in many shapes and colors. Some grow in rings, some grow in tight clusters, and some appear alone after storms. Common Massachusetts varieties include fairy rings, puffballs, meadow mushrooms, and shaggy manes. They often grow in shaded areas or places where buried roots are decaying. Regardless of appearance, consider all wild mushrooms unsafe to eat.

Reasons that mushrooms grow in lawns

Mushrooms appear when the fungus underground finds the right environment. In Massachusetts, the most common triggers include:

• Moist soil that stays wet for too long

• Overwatering from sprinklers

• Heavy shade that prevents drying

• Buried roots or stumps breaking down

• Thatch buildup or wet leaf piles

• Compacted soil that traps water

• Dense lawns that dry slowly

When these conditions exist, mushrooms surface.

Are lawn mushrooms harmful?

Most lawn mushrooms do not damage the grass. They do not harm the roots, and they do not kill turf. The main concern is accidental ingestion by pets or children. Some mushrooms release spores that can irritate allergies, but the mushrooms themselves are not harmful to the lawn.

Indicator of lawn problems

The presence of mushrooms can indicate deeper issues, such as:

• Excess moisture

• Compacted soil

• Poor airflow

• Drainage problems

• Thick thatch that holds water

• Low sunlight in key areas

Fixing these conditions strengthens the entire yard.

How to get rid of mushrooms in your lawn

The easiest approach is to let the lawn dry, mow mushrooms when they appear, and correct the conditions that caused them. Hand removal is optional but not required.

Natural mushroom removal methods

Mow regularly

You can safely mow mushrooms. Mowing helps them break down faster and keeps the lawn looking clean. Using a bagging attachment reduces the spread of pieces, but it is not required.

Spray with vinegar

Horticultural vinegar burns mushrooms on contact, but it can also burn grass. Use it only in targeted areas and apply with caution.

Sprinkle baking soda

Baking soda slightly increases soil pH and can slow mushroom growth. It does not eliminate the underground fungus, so the results are temporary.

Pour dish soap solution

Dish soap mixed with water helps break down mushrooms on the surface. It works best when combined with improved drainage or aeration.

Reduce excess moisture

Overwatering is the number one cause of mushrooms in Massachusetts. Water deeply but less often. Avoid watering in the evening. Fix pooling water and adjust irrigation during rainy weeks. Aerate compact soil to improve drainage and consider leveling low areas that collect water.

This problem is common for homeowners because many neighborhoods have older soil that holds moisture. Homeowners experience similar issues due to coastal humidity and slower drying conditions.

Minimize shade

Trim tree branches and thin shrubs so sunlight can reach the grass. Shaded lawns stay damp longer. Many families who work with landscapers near New Bedford, MA, request help controlling shade to reduce mushrooms and improve grass growth.

Remove decaying organic matter

Mushrooms feed on decomposing material. Rake leaves, clear debris, and dethatch when needed. Yard cleaning services and a professional leaf removal service help prevent the buildup that encourages fungal activity.

Apply fungicides only if needed

Fungicides containing azoxystrobin or chlorothalonil can reduce surface mushrooms, but do not remove the underground fungus. They are most useful when mushrooms appear alongside turf disease.

Chemical mushroom removal methods

A lawn mushroom killer can reduce heavy outbreaks. These products remove visible mushrooms but not the fungus below the soil. They work best when paired with aeration, better drainage, and proper watering.

Preventing mushroom growth in lawns

Long-term prevention comes from maintaining healthy soil and avoiding conditions that stay wet for too long.

To prevent mushrooms from returning:

• Aerate compact soil yearly

• Dethatch every one to three years

• Improve sunlight exposure with branch trimming

• Reduce watering and avoid oversaturation

• Rake leaves regularly

• Maintain the proper mowing height

• Correct drainage issues in low areas

A lawn with good airflow and proper water management rarely grows mushrooms.

Upholding mushroom safety practices

Never eat wild mushrooms from your lawn. Many species look harmless but have toxic look-alikes. Keep pets and children away from mushroom patches. Do not compost mushrooms because the spores can survive and spread in the compost.

FAQ's about lawn care

How do I get rid of clover in grass?

Use nitrogen-rich fertilizer, mow often, and apply a selective herbicide when needed. Overseeding helps crowd clover out.

How to increase lawn pH

Apply lime based on your soil test. Massachusetts soil is often acidic, so lime improves nutrient absorption.

How to grow grass in shaded areas

Use the best shade lawn seed, trim trees to improve light, and overseed each year.

How to fix yellow spots on grass

Check for overwatering, pet urine, or nutrient imbalance. Improve drainage and adjust watering habits.

Is it bad to cut wet grass?

Yes. Wet mowing leads to clumping, uneven cutting, and increased disease risk. Wait for the lawn to dry.

What does lime do for lawns?

Lime raises soil pH and helps grass absorb nutrients. This benefits many Massachusetts lawns.

How do you get rid of moss in your lawn?

Increase sunlight, reduce watering, raise soil pH, and aerate compact soil.

How long to water new grass seed

Water lightly several times per day until germination. Keep the top layer moist at all times.

Will lawn mushrooms kill my grass?

No. Mushrooms do not damage turf or roots.

Can you mow over mushrooms?

Yes. Mowing mushrooms is safe and helps them break down quickly.

FAQ about New England Tree & Landscape

Do you offer lawn care services in my area?

Yes. We offer lawn care services near Rochester, MA, and neighboring towns. We handle aeration, dethatching, seasonal cleanups, and drainage improvements.

What services do you offer for mushroom issues?

We correct the root cause of mushroom growth. This includes aeration, dethatching, drainage work, shade management, soil adjustments, and full yard cleaning services when organic debris is the trigger.

Can you maintain my lawn year-round?

Yes. We provide spring lawn care, fall lawn care, fertilization, leaf removal service, weed control, and ongoing maintenance plans.

Can you help with shaded or wet lawns?

Yes. As professional landscapers near Rochester, MA, we often help homeowners manage shade and moisture problems that lead to mushrooms.

Do you offer cleanups for debris buildup?

Yes. We offer yard cleaning services for leaf piles, branches, thatch, and other organic materials that fuel mushroom growth.

Can you inspect my lawn to find the cause of the mushrooms?

Absolutely. We analyze drainage patterns, soil health, shade levels, and buried material to create a plan for long-term prevention.

Conclusion

If mushrooms keep returning or your lawn needs long-term correction, New England Tree & Landscape is ready to help. We understand Massachusetts lawns and the soil conditions that cause mushroom growth. Contact us today to schedule a lawn evaluation and get your yard healthy, clean, and mushroom-free.

Sources

“Controlling Mushrooms.” BioAdvanced, 2025.“How To Get Rid of Mushrooms in Your Lawn.” This Old House, 2025.“How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in Your Yard.” Lawn Love, 2025.“What Causes Mushrooms in My Lawn?” Scotts Lawn Care, 2025.“How To Get Rid of Pesky Mushrooms in Your MA Lawn.” MissionGreen Services, 2025.