Mushrooms in my Flower Bed: live and let live, or get rid?

Houston, TX

I have a flower bed under a tree in my yard. I noticed the other day, after a bad storm, that little mushrooms started sprouting up all over the place. Should I get rid of them, or let them stay? Attached is a picture of the mushrooms.

Thumbnail by begin987654321
Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom

The Mushrooms are probably a result from the wood chip mulch you have around the area, this is a natural de-composting thing that happens with most wood.

I personally remove these fungus growth as a safety result as I am not by any stretch of the imagination therefore I would not trust if they were harmless or not.
I also grow lots of shrubs / tree's that when mature, have hard wood and I would be afraid this fungus could spread to these and I also have grand kids that from experience of my self as a youngster, I thought these meant fairies were in our garden and would touch the mushrooms to try waken the fairies up, (yes I know, very sad child ha, ha, ha) it could well be your fungus is harmless but without someone with knowledge assuring me, I would get rid.
Most mushrooms spread by a sperm like method, others move around other plant /tree's by thread that get under the bark the tree dies off and the threads like black laces just move to the next victim tree.
Please don't let all this alarm you as I said, I am not a mushroom expert so it is hoped someone else can give you more re-assuring info, and one way or another your mind will be at rest.
Best of luck, WeeNel.

Cherry Grove, OH(Zone 6b)

Mushrooms are simply the fruiting body of a fungus that is helping to break down that nice mulch.
If you pull up a clump of mulch you will likely see the light-colored "strings" growing through it. It's doing it's job of composting that mulch and improving your soil. If you don't like the look of the mushrooms you can just pull them out, that won't harm the fungus.

Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b)

In some situations mushrooms can be a sign that the soil is staying too wet. The fungi that produce mushrooms are indeed decomposing the organic matter in the soil, but they need moist conditions to thrive. Sometimes this is more water than the plants really need.
If this is seasonal, that the mushrooms are not growing year round, then do not worry about it.

There are some mushrooms that are diseases of certain plants. Armillaria of oaks and many other plants is an example. The fruiting bodies are not traditional mushrooms, but it is a fungus.
Mushrooms in a lawn (around here, at least) are always a sign of too much water, too often. The soil is not being allowed to dry enough between watering.

Calgary, AB(Zone 3b)

I enjoy seeing the mushrooms that occasionally spring up in my yard... also on wood mulch... they are as beautiful and intricate as the plants. There is no "safety" issue - whether they are toxic or edible is immaterial as I have no intention of eating them. The species that pop up here do no harm and only provide a brief glimpse of unexpected nature that one can enjoy.

Opp, AL(Zone 8b)

Agreed, a mushroom could only hurt you if you eat it, although some are extremely unpleasantly pungent. They are a natural part of the environment and the decomposition process. IMO, the stinky ones are best left alone, so their stench is not unleashed even more. Some aren't noticeably smelly until/unless they are disturbed.

Although they are normal after a period of rain or a single heavy rain, totally agree that if you see them, you know plants do not need supplemental watering in the near future! And if you have been adding water, cutting back might be a good idea. Continuing to keep the area mulched, and the periodic applications of compost or other organic material (like a thin layer from your mower bag if you are mowing grass that is not making seeds,) will help to greatly improve the drainage if that is a concern.

Cherry Grove, OH(Zone 6b)

Here, mushrooms in a (well kept) lawn or in a mulched bed is the norm in late spring. It's a good indicator of organic matter worked into our heavy clay soil.

No mushrooms, weeds and hardpan is our typical yard here. Till in some compost or manure and you get great vegetables, nice lawns and a lot of mushrooms. So, at least in my area, mushrooms mean you have made a major improvement in the soil.





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