Toadstools in Lawn

Marion Nesbitt
by Marion Nesbitt
Is there a home-made "cure" to kill off the toadstools that are increasingly invading my lawn. This is not a shady area.
  6 answers
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Apr 20, 2014
    Toadstools are a sign that you have organic material—old roots, perhaps pieces of lumber—in the soil, and you that you have had abundant moisture. They aren't harming anything and there is nothing much you can do about them other than raking them up if they bother you.
    • See 1 previous
    • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Apr 20, 2014
      @Douglas Hunt Thanks for your reply, Douglas. They are extremely prolific and invasive, but just on one side of my front lawn - so far. Honestly, if they were edible mushrooms, I could run a "pick your own" op! There are spots that are solid with them. They seem to be spreading out from these areas to establish new, dense colonies. The soil was rather poor to begin with. The area they first started was near the boulevard (no city sidewalk) and so remnants of junk sand/gravel from city works contributed to the poorness. We have also had 3 yrs of near drought conditions. The side they're on is the sunniest and driest part of the front yard!. I usually don't water my lawn, just my perennials. When I mow, there are large brownish/black areas left with nary a blade of grass or anything else present. I clean up the deceased by hand. I even dug up one area to no avail. None of my neighbours have them. I just don't get it. The other side of the front lawn is prone to moss in places where there are fir trees and shade. That I get!
  • Sandy F Sandy F on Apr 20, 2014
    Try spraying the area with diluted Clorox. It worked for me. :-)
    • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Apr 20, 2014
      @Sandy F Thanks, Sandy. I will certainly be trying this - once the snow has melted! I am winning the battles with dandelions, creeping Charlie, and others. The "stools" have been the biggest challenge and have been defeating me. I will now have a new weapon in my arsenal!
  • Laura Dunkle Laura Dunkle on Apr 20, 2014
    if you use mulch you are going to have toadstools. personally i find them interesting and they usually only survive a few days.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Apr 20, 2014
    Thanks Laura. I don't use mulch. It is not a case of a few toadstools which come and then disappear. They are taking over one side of my lawn - big time - in the sunniest, driest part of the yard. They are survivors and spreaders, and are destroying my lawn! I haven't won the battle, yet alone the war!! LOL
    • See 2 previous
    • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Apr 23, 2014
      @Douglas Hunt Good advice. Let the pros have a look. Will try the home made cures first to see if they work.
  • Sandy F Sandy F on Apr 20, 2014
    @Marion Nesbitt I have even heard you can use straight vinegar as a weed killer! I haven't tried it yet, but I plan to!
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Apr 20, 2014
    Thanks Sandy. Will be weapon #2 in my arsenal!