What Do You Call A Mushroom Who Buys Everyone Drinks… A Fungi To Be Around!!!
I have just returned from a short trip to Alberta and I can’t believe how cold it was. Overcast, wet and windy many of the Albertan natives are very disappointed in the summer that La Niña has given them. Here as well our summer has been cooler and wetter and I am grateful. For winter it is expected that La Niña will possibly cause a warmer than normal start to winter but will turn colder in early December with frequent periods of large snow events that could persist into April and May. We shall see as the La Niña pattern could change as it normally is an event that occurs every 2 to 7 years.
The cooler and wetter weather has kept the fires in our area at bay although on my flight into Kelowna on Sunday I spotted a fire along Kal Lake. There were lots of boats still on the lake and I could see no sign of fire trucks in the area. My husband said there was no sign of a fire when he drove down to Kelowna a couple of hours earlier but on the way back home the traffic heading south was congested with fire trucks trying to weave their way down towards the fire.
By the time we reached Vernon Kalamalka Lake was obviously cleared of boats and 5 or 6 skimmer planes were working the fire. Quite a show for the 100’s of people on the beach. It is believed to be started by human activity.
The result of the colder and wetter weather in Alberta has caused an increase in Mushroom growth in peoples lawns and although they may be considered by some as unsightly they are actually beneficial and do no harm to your lawn. As a matter of fact they are actually a sign of a healthy lawn. These fungi decompose organic material like dead leaves, lawn clippings and thatch and release nutrients back into you lawn. One should always be wary of eating mushrooms that are growing in the yard although I recognize a few like the regular what I call money’s mushrooms and Shaggy Mains the rest I do not know and don’t like the looks of.
Mushrooms are spread by spoor which they create and it is best if you pull them out early in their life cycle. The only type of mushroom that may be growing in your lawn that is dangerous and destructive is Fairy Rings. These are mushrooms that grow in a circular pattern and although some of them are edible with a slightly nutty flavour others are dangerous to ingest especially for children and pets.
Fairy Rings can spread aggressively and can result in patches of dead grass. Do not mow over these areas as this will increase the spread of their spoor. Fungicides do not work either. Sometimes due to climatic change they will go away on their own but often they must be attacked with a pattern of thatching and aeration then a deep watering once the soil has the ability to take in the moisture that is needed to kill the fungus.
If left unattended and it continues to grow and spread the area may need to be dug up and new soil added before you can reseed or sod the area.
Happy Gardening!
Samantha Nason
BS Ranch & Greenhouses
250 547 6567
sam1nason@gmail.com
