Does you garden have an abundance of mushrooms growing in it? In addition to their unsightly appearance, certain fungi pose a threat to people and pets.
Families with small children or pets should take a proactive approach towards preventing mushroom growth in their garden. Just a single toxic mushroom could result in serious injury.
Thankfully, there are several different techniques used to keep fungi out of the garden.
It’s important to note that fungi spores are all around us. They can be found in the soil, air, water and surfaces. While there’s no way to completely prevent all types of fungi from growing in your garden, you can reduce their numbers by following some simple steps.
Organic Compost
The role fungi plays in the ecosystem is to break down organic matter. If you leave organic matter out for a long period of time, chances are you begin to see fungi colonies growing on it.
For instance, leaving a slice of cheese on the counter for just a couple of days will result in a layer of furry fungi. The same thing can be said for bread, meat or practically any other organic matter.
Because fungi grows on organic matter, common sense should tell you to avoid using it in your garden. I know some gardeners prefer organic compost over chemical fertilizer, but using too much will increase the chance of mushrooms spawning.
There’s nothing wrong with an occasional compost mulching, but you should keep it to a minimum to help reduce the number of mushrooms in your garden.
Create a Proper Runoff
It’s no secret that mushrooms grow more abundantly in moist conditions. In fact, most mushrooms varieties are over 90% water content.
Of course, plants also require water to grow, so you must keep this in mind when designing your garden.
By creating a balanced garden where plants receive just the right amount of water, you’ll allow for healthy plants without creating ideal breeding grounds for mushroom colonies.
Maintaining a proper runoff will naturally reduce the amount of mushrooms in your garden. A good runoff should direct water down and away from your garden.
If water is pooling up in your garden after a storm, your plants will likely suffer and more mushrooms will grow.
Instead, dig a simple trench and cover it with some stones. The stones should prevent it from washing away while still being able to direct the flow of water.
Another idea is to build an underground drainage system using plastic tubing. Be warned, though, this technique is more difficult and time consuming. You’ll have to essentially dig up a large portion of your yard to bury the plastic drainage pipes.
Following the tips listed here should reduce the chance of mushrooms growing in your garden.
The key thing to remember is that water and organic matter attract fungi. By focusing your attention on these elements, you’ll have more control over your garden.
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