After all the recent rain, you may be seeing a lot more mushrooms in the yard.
First, don't panic! Instead, give yourself a pat on the back.
Those mushrooms are the product of a hyper-level of organic matter. And organic matter is a good thing!
Unfortunately, too much organic matter can produce fairy rings ... an inordinate number of mushrooms in a circular or semi-circular pattern. (ABOVE) Occasionally in some northern states, fairy rings just take the form a deeper green outer circle of grass. (BELOW)
In Southeast Texas, here's what I suggest:
- Leave them alone!
- Pluck out every mushroom, then dust the area with agricultural sulfur — often considered an "organic fungicide," especially by the "manic organics."
- Pluck out all you can and drench the area with a fungicide like Consan. But, frankly, I don't care what fungicide you choose.
Some say the appearance of fairy rings suggests the need to top-dress with even more organic material, like compost. But I say, if you have fairy rings, just leave well enough alone. Nevertheless, here are some tips on top-dressing.
Also, when was the last time you applied fertilizer? Fairy rings often appear in lawns that have lots of organic matter but been inconsistently fertilized. If you lawn falls into that category, get a lawn fertilization going right away per my schedule. We are right now due for our summer application!
And what if you do nothing and just mow the mushrooms into the turf? You'll get more mushrooms, and that's likely it. So, the control method ... or whether you do anything at all ... is completely up to you.