If you’ve put careful thought and hard work into your landscape design, the sudden appearance of yard mushrooms can be frustrating. But why did these organisms take root on your lawn, and how can you get rid of them? To learn more about common Missouri mushrooms, take advantage of this lawn care guide.

Why Are Mushrooms Growing in My Yard?

Fungi—a type of organism that cannot be classified as a plant or animal—are always present in the dirt, feeding off and breaking down organic materials.

Mushrooms are sort of like the flowering portion of fungi, only sprouting when the ideal environmental conditions are present. You might spot a ring of mushrooms in your yard on a cloudy day after rainfall when there’s plenty of shade and moisture.

What Kinds Are Most Common in Missouri?

While Missouri forests are known for containing the sought-after Morel mushrooms (an edible variety), you aren’t likely to find these growing in your yard.

Some of the most common yard species are the Scotch bonnet, the meadow mushroom, the common puffball, and the star earthball. You might notice them growing in a “fairy ring,” as they work to decompose organic material in your soil.

How Should I Deal With This Issue?

At the very least, yard mushrooms can detract from your landscape design—at the worst, they can be toxic to children and pets. If you’re hoping to avoid common, non-toxic mushrooms, work on limiting shade in your yard by trimming back trees and shrubs.

You can also decrease the number of organic materials in the dirt by taking your pet on a walk to do their business. If this doesn’t help, or if you notice toxic species like false morels (Gyromitra esculenta), you should leave the removal work to a lawn care professional.

They can address the source of your fungi issue—whether its soil compaction, plumbing line leaks, or the balance of organic materials and fertilizers in the soil. After eliminating the mushrooms, they may aerate the soil, remove stumps, and use other techniques to prevent them from returning.

If you’re hoping to get some professional help for stubborn mushroom growth, turn to A Kick in the Grass Lawn Service of Ballwin, MO. They have over 15 years of experience providing lawn care services to area residents and business owners. From soil aeration to gutter cleaning, you can turn to their team to keep your property in shape. To learn more about their offerings, visit the website and call (314) 471-6186 to request a free estimate.