How to Get Rid of Toadstools in Lawn

How to Get Rid of Toadstools in Lawn

Toadstools are a common sight in lawns, especially during damp, mild weather. While they often cause concern for their appearance or potential toxicity, they’re not harmful to your grass. Toadstools are simply the fruiting bodies of underground fungi that have been in the soil long before they appeared above ground. Getting rid of toadstools is not just about removing what you seeit’s about improving the conditions that allowed them to surface.

What Causes Toadstools in Lawns

Toadstools appear when fungal spores in the soil find the right conditions to grow. These spores are always present in most garden soils and usually remain dormant. However, when moisture, shade and decaying organic material are present, fungi become active and begin producing fruiting bodieswhat we recognise as toadstools.

They are especially common in autumn and spring when rainfall is frequent and temperatures are mild. Lawns with compacted soil, heavy thatch, or poor drainage are more likely to see toadstool activity, as these conditions support fungal growth beneath the surface.

Removing Toadstools from the Surface

To get rid of toadstools quickly, remove them as soon as they appear. Wear gloves or use a trowel to gently lift them from the base and dispose of them in the bin, not the compost, as this helps reduce spore spread. Toadstools that are allowed to mature will release spores that encourage new growth across the lawn. Avoid mowing over toadstools, as this can break them up and spread spores even further.

Removing the visible toadstools will help the lawn look cleaner in the short term, but it won’t stop new ones appearing unless the conditions that support them are changed.

Improve Drainage and Aeration

Since fungal growth is closely linked to moisture retention, improving drainage is one of the best ways to reduce toadstool outbreaks. Aerating the lawn opens up the soil, allowing water to drain more freely and reducing the dampness that fungi thrive on. Hollow tine aeration is most effective, particularly on heavy or compacted lawns. After aerating, brushing in a sandy top dressing helps prevent the holes from closing and supports longer-term drainage improvement.

Lawns that stay wet for long periodsespecially in shaded areasare more likely to host fungi. By improving soil structure, you can reduce the conditions that allow toadstools to thrive.

Reduce Shade and Surface Debris

Toadstools prefer shady, still areas. If you can increase sunlight and airflow to the lawn, you’ll reduce fungal activity. Trim back overgrown hedges, lift low tree branches and open up corners of the garden where dampness tends to linger. This also helps the grass dry faster after rain, making the lawn less appealing to fungi.

Raking up fallen leaves, grass clippings and other organic debris is equally important. These materials break down slowly and provide food for fungi just below the surface. Keeping the lawn surface clean deprives fungi of one of their key fuel sources.

Deal with Underlying Organic Matter

In some cases, toadstools are growing from buried organic material like old tree roots, rotting stumps, or wood fragments left beneath the soil. As fungi feed on this decaying matter, they produce toadstools at the surface. If mushrooms or toadstools keep appearing in the same spot year after year, it may be worth investigating what lies beneath. Digging out the source, if accessible, can reduce long-term fungal activity.

Most Toadstools Are Harmless — But Caution Is Still Wise

While the majority of lawn toadstools in the UK are not toxic, it’s best to treat all unknown fungi as potentially harmful, especially if pets or children use the garden. Removing them quickly reduces any risk of accidental contact or ingestion. Gloves should always be worn during removal, and hands should be washed thoroughly afterwards.

Toadstools Are Not a Sign of Poor Lawn Care

It’s easy for customers to assume toadstools mean something is wrong with their lawn, but this isn't true. In fact, they’re often a sign that the soil is biologically active, breaking down organic matter naturally. Their appearance can follow periods of heavy rain, new turf laying, or the addition of organic fertiliser, all of which increase moisture and food for fungi. The key is managing the conditions without trying to eliminate fungi entirely.

Grass Seed Can Trigger Fungal Activity

Toadstools are common in newly seeded or turfed lawns. During the early weeks, there’s often moisture retention and a thin layer of organic material, both of which feed fungi. This is completely normal and typically settles after the first few mowing cycles. Educating homeowners that it’s part of the natural bedding-in process helps reduce unnecessary concern.

Aeration and Scarifying Are the Long-Term Fix

One-off removal of toadstools will always be temporary unless the underlying environment is changed. Combining scarifying to reduce thatch with hollow-tine aeration to improve airflow and drainage creates an environment less friendly to fungal growth. Doing this once or twice a year, especially in spring or autumn, dramatically reduces recurrence.

Toadstools Thrive in Still Air

Stagnant, humid corners of a lawnlike those next to fences, under trees, or near shedstrap moisture in the turf and create ideal fungal conditions. Improving airflow across the lawn can have a surprisingly strong effect. Trimming back plants, raising the canopy of trees, or even reducing the height of a nearby hedge can allow breezes to dry out the grass faster after rainfall.

Avoid Using Detergents or Chemicals

There’s a misconception that spraying soapy water or domestic chemicals on toadstools will kill them off. In practice, this can damage the turf, stain the grass, or even encourage fungal rebound. No fungicide on the UK domestic market is specifically approved for toadstool control in lawns. Mechanical removal and environmental improvement are always the safer and more effective route.

Final Word

Toadstools in the lawn are a symptom of natural soil processes, not a disease or failure. They indicate active fungal life, which in many cases supports healthy soil. But if they become unsightly or problematic, the best way to deal with them is by removing surface growth and improving the conditions beneath. Better drainage, less shade, cleaner surfaces and healthier turf will all help reduce their return and keep your lawn looking neat and usable year-round.