Fungi are eukaryotic organisms similar to plants, although they are part of a kingdom of their own, the Fungi kingdom, there are more than 100,000 types of fungi which can be found in very diverse environments. In this way, we can find them in natural settings, in public spaces and in our own homes or even growing in our gardens, harming, in most cases, the rest of the plants.
Do you want to know why fungi grow in your garden and how to eliminate them ? At Diygardens we help you get rid of these little invaders.
Why do mushrooms grow in a garden – the causes
Fungi can appear in our gardens for multiple causes , the most frequent being:
- Meteorological phenomena: fungi are prone to appear in humid climates with little light, therefore, frequent rainfall and the formation of puddles or stagnant waters can cause their appearance.
- Accumulation of waste or organic remains: decomposing organic matter is a source of infection and the appearance of fungi, so if we do not take care of our gardens and allow remains of organic garbage to accumulate, such as fruit fallen from trees , most likely, fungi will invade our garden.
- Fertilizer application: we have to know that, after all, our garden constitutes a small ecosystem, so any alteration in one of its components can cause changes in the rest. In this way, when we apply fertilizers, fertilizers and nutrients excessively in order to ensure the growth of our plants, what we achieve in most cases is just the opposite effect, the appearance of fungi. This is due to the high amount of organic waste that compost and fertilizers have in their composition.
- Excessive watering: in the same way that excess rainfall and the accumulation of water can favor the appearance of fungi in our gardens, inappropriate or excessive irrigation techniques can cause the same effect.
- New plantations: in the first phases of growth and development, both plants and grass are vulnerable to any type of change, because their roots have not yet fully developed, being more vulnerable to attack by possible fungi.
What if mushrooms grow in the garden
The presence of fungi or poisonous mushrooms or not, as well as fungi that become real pests for plants, in our garden does not usually cause irreversible damage to the ground or to the surrounding plants, although it is true that they can be very annoying when eliminating them or, in the case of poisonous mushrooms, that there is a problem due to their ingestion, both by people and animals that inhabit the home. However, the biggest problem that fungi usually present is that our plantations or crops are affected by becoming ill, losing their appearance, characteristics and properties. In addition, the most common are usually edible, non-poisonous mushrooms or mushrooms, such as thistle mushrooms ( Pleurotus eryngii ) or Matacandil (Coprinus comatus ) although, on the other hand, microscopic fungal pests are also very frequent in plants, but if we do not eat these plants it does not pose any risk to our health.
The foliar fungi , for example, often cause damage on leaves of plants , but can also affect the buds, younger branches and flowers. Thus, the appearance of spots or circular bumps with different shades, whitish, reddish, orange or yellowish, the deformation of the leaves, the cracking of the fruits and the loss of flowering of the plant are some of the consequences that affect the diseases caused by the infection of a fungus. In the later stages of disease, the plant is most likely to lose its leaves or even its life. Some of these fungi are powdery mildew, mildew, rust, bold, and so on.
On the other hand, wood fungi have different effects. These usually cause rotting of the plant , which is very easily detected due to its characteristic whitish or brown color. In addition, wood tends to lose its hardness characteristics, leaving a weak and soft material with little resistance. These fungi are more difficult to eradicate, so in most cases prevention is much better.
How to eliminate fungi in the garden or lawn
As we have said before, one of the best techniques is simply to prevent the appearance of fungi by observing our plants. Fungi are microscopic in size, so we cannot be aware of their first appearances. However, its effects are visible, so we must be attentive to the first symptoms in our plants and know how to act.
The application of proper irrigation and fertilization techniques are one of the most effective tools when it comes to preventing the appearance of fungi. For this, it is enough to adapt to the characteristics of the climate in which we find ourselves, avoiding waterlogging and applying correctly and in the right amount the nutrients and fertilizer for our garden. The amounts of water and nutrients that our garden needs will depend on the place where we are, its climate and the type of species that we plant in our garden, so we must make a careful and adequate study before putting it into practice. However, we must take into account that a humidity greater than 80% it practically ensures the appearance of fungi, so it is necessary to maintain a humidity level lower than that percentage.
Sometimes the aeration of the land can also help us to prevent the appearance of fungi. It consists of drilling holes in the soil or removing the soil, at least once a year, to ensure the absorption of water and the entry of oxygen into the substrate.
On the other hand, if it is too late to apply these prevention techniques and the fungi have already manifested themselves in our plantations, the best remedy for fungi in the garden is to go to a nursery or a specific gardening products store and buy the most suitable fungicide for our garden, if possible it is natural or biodegradable.
