Brown Mushrooms in My Garden: What They Are and What To Do About Them

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Robby

I study landscape ecology and through my studies have discovered a love for plants. Plants are not only beautiful, but also have countless fascinating survival strategies. To bring a bit of nature into my home as well, I nurture my houseplants and herbs on every possible windowsill. Favourite fruit: rhubarb and all kinds of berries Favourite vegetables: onions and garlic

Be it discoloured patches in the grass or small, brown mushrooms in the lawn, fungi in the garden are not uncommon and can appear in many different ways. Discover the different types of lawn fungi and get tips on how to get rid of mushrooms in your lawn.

When we think of mushrooms, we often think of the stems and caps that we see growing from the ground. However, mushrooms mainly grow underground. What we see in the lawn are merely the fruiting bodies that sometimes rise to the surface. Just like microorganisms, the fungal networks beneath the ground are vital for ensuring soil remains fertile. Many fungi live in symbiosis with plants, whereby both fungus and plant benefit from an exchange of substances. However, there are also fungi that damage gardens. These do not live symbiotically, but parasitically, meaning they benefit from the plants, but not vice versa. So, depending on the type of fungus, mushrooms in the lawn can be desirable or lead to trouble.

As a gardener, you may have noticed brown mushrooms popping up in your garden from time to time. While some mushrooms can be beneficial or harmless, others may be toxic and pose a risk to children or pets. This article will cover everything you need to know about identifying brown mushrooms in your garden and deciding what to do about them.

What Are Brown Mushrooms?

Brown mushrooms encompass a wide variety of mushroom species that happen to have brown caps They can range in color from light tan to deep chocolate brown The stems also vary in color from white to brown,

Some types of brown mushrooms include:

  • Paddy straw mushroom
  • Shaggy mane
  • Chestnut mushroom
  • Brown meadow mushroom
  • Porcini
  • Bay bolete
  • Birch bolete
  • Scaly wood mushroom

These mushrooms belong to different genera and species. Some are edible while others are inedible or even toxic. So proper identification is crucial.

Why Are They Growing in My Garden?

Mushrooms naturally grow in gardens because the conditions are ideal for fungal growth. Fungi thrive in moist, shady environments with plenty of organic matter to feed on.

Common places you may find mushrooms in your garden include

  • At the base of trees or stumps
  • In mulched flower beds
  • In your lawn
  • Near decaying leaves or vegetation
  • Areas that don’t drain well

If you have healthy soil with lots of organic material, it offers the perfect food source for mushrooms. The shade and moisture provided by trees, shrubs, mulch and vegetation also create an ideal microclimate.

Are Brown Mushrooms Harmful?

Many brown mushrooms are harmless or even beneficial to your garden. Fungi break down organic matter, recycle nutrients, and improve soil health. Some species form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, exchanging nutrients for carbohydrates.

However, some brown mushrooms can be toxic or poisonous. Consuming toxic species can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, organ damage, or even death in some cases.

Examples of poisonous brown mushrooms include

  • The toxic brown galerina
  • The deadly poison pie
  • The sickener
  • The fibrecap

So proper identification is extremely important before handling brown mushrooms in your garden. Some toxic species closely resemble edible varieties.

How To Identify Brown Mushrooms

Identifying mushrooms accurately requires patience and scrutiny. You need to examine several parts of the mushroom including the:

  • Cap – Note the shape, texture, color and markings
  • Gills – Observe the attachment to stem, spacing, size and color
  • Stem – Check the color, texture, length and shape
  • Veil – Look for partial veils or volva at the base
  • Spore print – Making a spore print can help identify the mushroom

You also need to note where the mushroom is growing and characteristics of the surrounding habitat.

Using a field guide or app can help you properly identify species. If you plan to eat foraged mushrooms, have an expert identify them first to be safe.

Here are some identifying features of common brown mushrooms:

  • Bay boletes – Stocky brown stems with olive caps featuring a distinctive cracked pattern on the surface. Pores instead of gills.

  • Birch boletes – Tan, brown or reddish-brown caps that are scaly or hairy. Short white stems. Pores on underside. Grow under birch trees.

  • Paddy straw mushrooms – Light brown caps with whitish stems. Pink gills that turn chocolate brown. Grow in overlapping clusters on rotting straw.

  • Shaggy manes – Cylindrical brown mushrooms that elongate as they mature. Eventually, they turn black and “melt.”

Being able to accurately identify brown mushrooms takes practice. When starting out, stick to commonly eaten species that are easy to recognize.

Are Brown Mushrooms Edible?

Some species of brown mushrooms are choice edible mushrooms, while others are inedible or toxic.

Examples of edible brown mushrooms include:

  • Paddy straw mushrooms
  • Bay bolete
  • Birch bolete
  • Chestnut mushroom
  • Porcini
  • Brown meadow mushroom

Before consuming ANY wild mushrooms, ensure you have correctly identified the species. Only eat mushrooms you are 100% confident are edible.

How To Get Rid of Brown Mushrooms

If you want to get rid of brown mushrooms in your garden, you have a couple options:

1. Remove Them

  • Wear gloves to protect yourself
  • Use a trowel or shovel to dig up the mushrooms and a bit of surrounding soil
  • Seal the mushrooms in a plastic bag and dispose of them promptly

2. Create Unfavorable Conditions

  • Improve drainage in damp areas
  • Cut back overhanging branches to increase sunlight
  • Remove dead leaves, wood and thick mulch
  • Apply nitrogen fertilizer to speed decomposition
  • Spread baking soda or lime to raise pH

3. Use Fungicides

Apply fungicide drenches to lawn, flower beds and surrounding soil to kill mushroom spores. Avoid overuse of fungicides which can harm beneficial fungi.

4. Introduce Mushroom Predators

Certain insects like soldier beetles and fungus gnats prey on fungi. You can attract them to your garden by avoiding pesticides.

Can I Grow Edible Mushrooms?

Many delicious mushrooms can be grown right in your garden! With a little effort, you can have homegrown mushrooms to harvest.

Some types that grow well outdoors or on logs/stumps include:

  • Oyster mushrooms
  • Shiitake
  • Lion’s mane
  • Wine cap mushrooms
  • Pearl oyster mushrooms
  • Chicken of the woods

You inoculate a growing medium like sawdust, woodchips, or logs with mushroom spawn. Then provide the right moisture, temperature, shade and time for mushrooms to form.

The Bottom Line

If you see brown mushrooms in your garden, take time to identify them before taking any action. Many brown mushroom species are harmless or beneficial for your garden. But some toxic mushrooms can grow in gardens too, so educate yourself on poisonous varieties to avoid.

Properly identifying brown mushrooms ensures you can remove potentially dangerous ones, while leaving edible or benign mushrooms intact. With extra care, you can even cultivate appetizing brown mushrooms like shiitakes right in your own yard!

brown mushrooms in my garden

Shaggy ink cap (Coprinus comatus)

The shaggy ink cap is a popular edible mushroom among mushroom connoisseurs. It does not usually form fairy rings in the lawn. However, the white, elongated, downward-drawn umbrella should not be used as a definitive way to identify this mushroom.

brown mushrooms in my garden

Parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera)

This edible mushroom is one of the lamellar, or gill, fungi that can be identified by looking under the white-brown patterned gill. One characteristic of parasol mushrooms is the ring on the stalk, which you can move up and down. The parasol can also form fairy rings and be confused with poisonous doppelgangers.

brown mushrooms in my garden

What To Do About MUSHROOMS In The Garden?

FAQ

Should I remove mushrooms from my vegetable garden?

The answer, in general, is that mushrooms in your garden are fine.

Are the brown mushrooms in my yard poisonous?

The Majority of Lawn Mushrooms Are Not Dangerous

Not all mushrooms that grow in lawns are poisonous, but some can be toxic. While many mushrooms are harmless, others contain dangerous toxins that can cause severe illness or even death if ingested.

Is it okay to have mushrooms growing in your garden?

Good. Mushroom’s/fungus are a sign of healthy soil. They don’t hurt your plants and generally go away on their own in a few days.

Are mushrooms that are turning brown safe to eat?

Sometimes mushrooms dry out, and while a few wrinkles are OK, if they’re really shrivelled up it’s better to toss than eat. Dark spots. If your mushrooms have gone darker or have dark spots, If your mushrooms have gone darker or have dark spots, it’s time to use them or lose them.

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