Gardeners share ‘best’ method to remove lawn toadstools so they ‘don’t spread’

The soil in a garden is teeming with fungi and their spores. However, gardeners can’t see them and most of the time the spores are dormant just waiting until all the conditions are right for them to grow and produce the next generation of their species.

Toadstools in lawns are a sign that the soil is nutritious and has a healthy ecosystem.

Some people find toadstools attractive on their lawns while others think they’re unsightly.

Thankfully, gardening enthusiasts have shared simple methods to remove them without harming the grass.

Taking to the Gardening UK Facebook page, one man posted a picture of toadstools on his lawn and asked for the “best way” to remove them.

Stewart Toye wrote: “Can anyone advise me on what this is in my lawn? Does anybody know the best way to treat this?”

The majority of group members instantly recognised this as toadstools invading Stewart’s lawn and suggested that he either mow them or pick them off by hand. 

Mason Cole said: “They appear where there’s organic matter, so mow your lawn again and ensure no grass cuttings are left behind.

“To prevent pesky toadstools from coming back, regularly scarifying your lawn would help massively.”

Rose Langley commented: “Scarifying the lawn will help to remove any organic matter lying on the surface, but toadstools themselves are harmless to the lawn itself just don’t eat them.  

“In general they’re a part of nature’s life and death cycle they usually indicate good conditions. 

“The best way to remove them is by hand or cutting them off with a box mower. This ensures that they don’t spread by spores in the wind.”

Jonathan Hill from Rolawn noted that toadstools can be removed by “picking off by hand (wear gardening gloves as a precaution) or brushing them off”. 

Alternatively, they can be mown off with a box on the lawnmower in order to collect them. To reduce the growth of toadstools in lawns, the expert suggested reducing the amount of thatch by scarifying the lawn and then reducing the amount of fertiliser applied to the lawn.

Gardeners should also check for buried debris under the lawn. Jonathan said: “With a pocket knife, dig under a clump of toadstools and look for plant debris. If it is there, your toadstools are growing from that, not the lawn itself. Dig it out and replace the turf.”

One gardener suggested that if there is only a small amount of toadstools on lawns then a common cupboard staple can be used.

Jo Pam said: “Baking soda solution if it’s not too widespread.” This solution typically consists of two tablespoons of baking soda and one gallon of water.