There's a Fungus Among Us - in the Landscape

Many residents are calling the Pasco Extension about mushrooms sprouting in their lawns. Not to worry! Rarely is a mushroom a sign of trouble in the lawn. Mushrooms are the reproducing structure for these primitive "plants."

When you see a mushroom, it is usually because some woody material has been buried and is decomposing. When underground, the juvenile stage of mushrooms have been busy decomposing the dead plant material (or in some cases woody construction materials) and when conditions are right, they reproduce by sending up mushrooms. Sometimes this can occur overnight and many be dramatic with large numbers or unique coloration.

No chemicals are needed to combat lawn mushrooms. They typically won't cause any harm and if they really bother you, just knock them over with the mower or your shoe.

Editor's note: BJ Jarvis is a horticulture agent and the director of the Pasco County Cooperative Extension Office. For more information about extension programs, visit pasco.ifas.ufl.edu.