JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — First Coast News Weather Watchers have been flooding us with photos of mushrooms — loads and loads of them — especially after the heavy rainfall we've seen in recent weeks.
Curious about what's causing this sudden growth? First Coast News reached out to lawn experts at Earthworks, a landscape firm, to get some answers.
- Why So Many Mushrooms? Chad Lakin with Earthworks explains that heavy rainstorms are the main factor behind this mushroom boom. "Mushrooms are essentially a sign of too much moisture," Lakin said. "The excess water could be coming from organic material in the soil that holds moisture, or it could just be the constant rain we've been getting."
- Should You Be Worried? The good news is that mushrooms aren’t necessarily a big issue. "You can remove them, mow over them, or simply leave them alone. They aren't harmful by themselves," Lakin said. However, too much water can lead to other lawn problems, such as gray leaf spot and take-all root rot - two diseases that are cropping up more frequently due to the recent wet conditions.
How to Protect Your Lawn
- Prevent Additional Stress: Keep your lawn healthy by minimizing any extra stressors, such as heavy foot traffic or frequent mowing.
- Fungicides: Applying fungicides can help slow the spread of lawn diseases, especially if you start noticing patchy or discolored grass.
- Raise Your Mower Height: Let your grass grow a bit taller. “Think of the grass blades as solar panels,” Lakin said. Taller grass absorbs more sunlight, helping it dry out after rain and stay strong despite the moisture.
More Lawn Care Tips
- Improve Drainage: If you notice persistent water buildup, aerating your lawn or improving drainage can help water move through the soil more efficiently.
- Limit Watering During Rainy Periods: Hold off on additional watering when your yard is already saturated to avoid overwhelming your grass.
- Fertilize Carefully: Too much fertilizer can also contribute to fungus growth, so be mindful of how much you apply, especially in wet conditions.
If you’d like to share your photos of mushrooms or any other weather events in your neighborhood, be sure to check out our First Coast News Weather Watchers Facebook page!