Category

Gardening

Category
Are Mushrooms a Sign of a Healthy Lawn or Possibly Dangerous
In Gardening

Are Mushrooms a Sign of a Healthy Lawn or Possibly Dangerous

9 Mins Read

I have noticed people have a mixed reaction to the emergence of mushrooms on their garden lawn.

There are those whose first reaction is that of elation. Some people just love mushrooms in whatever form.

Then there are those that immediately start to worry.

Will mushrooms ruin the overall health of the garden? Why did they appear in the first place? What does it all mean?

So today, let me try to answer the age-old question – are mushrooms a sign of a healthy lawn or something potentially dangerous?

Are Mushrooms a Sign of a Healthy Lawn

To be honest, there is no simple answer to this question.

Sorry to be boring but I need to repeat what you will read at most places.

Mushroom growth in your garden lawn can be both good news or in some rare cases, possibly risky.

To fully comprehend what presence of mushrooms could mean for your garden, you need to learn the following:

1) Why do mushrooms appear in your garden in the first place?

2) Why mushrooms can indeed be a sign of a healthy lawn?

3) Why mushrooms in some cases can pose a risk to the health of your garden and family members?

Once you understand the above, you will be able to conclude yourself whether the mushrooms growing on your lawn are good or bad.

Why do mushrooms appear on your garden lawn in the first place?

Are mushrooms a sign of a healthy lawn and why do they appear?

Mushrooms are part of the fruiting bodies of fungi.

While I am not going to get into detail on fungal structures for now, presence of fungi in the soil particles in your garden is the main reason for appearance of mushrooms on your lawn.

So what causes fungi to grow in your garden lawn?

Your garden soil will have fungi as a result of any organic material that has been there for a while and has the right conditions to grow quickly.

Organic material can be anything from decomposing twigs, old grass clippings, dead tree roots to animal waste, compost, organic debris, food waste etc.

Fungi thrive in damp conditions. They don’t just grow on the soil surface, they can grow on tree stumps, dead trees or any woody material.

Dampness in garden soil can be due to various reasons. This includes humid weather, excess moisture due to poor drainage or shady conditions, heavy rain, overwatering, excess thatch etc.

Heavy rain can also result in excessive dampness and moisture build-up.

Therefore, organic waste plus damp and humid conditions results in the growth of fungi, which in turn end up causing mushrooms to appear on your garden lawn.

What are fairy rings in lawns and why do they appear?

What are fairy rings and why do they appear in your garden lawn?

You may have noticed that sometimes, mushrooms grow in your garden lawn in a circle.

These circles or arcs of mushrooms on the lawn grass are known as fairy rings.

Fairy rings are a part of several myths, legends and fantasy stories.

This is mainly due to the beauty of these rings and their mystical appearance.

We know mushrooms grow due to the presence of fungi.

Fungi reproduce through microscopic spores. Sometimes, a fungus ends up sprouting multiple threads known as fungal mycelia.

The mycelia, grows under the surface of the soil in a round, circular pattern. In time, they start to reproduce.

Since, mushrooms are a reproductive part of fungi, they start to sprout at regular intervals in a circle forming a fairy ring.

Whether these mushroom fairy rings are healthy for your lawn or not, you cannot argue against the beauty of their sight which is absolutely full of wonder.

Why mushrooms can indeed be a sign of a healthy lawn?

The overall consensus amongst lawn care experts is that appearance of mushrooms can indeed be a good sign.

It indicates a healthy ecosystem in your lawn. Fungi and mushrooms help break organic matter and create healthy soil.

They help release nutrients from organic debris which spreads within the soil leading to thicker and greener grass.

Your garden relies on microbial activity for healthy plant growth. The presence of fungi leading to the growth of mushrooms aids in nourishing microbial activity and is overall a good thing for the wellbeing of the garden.

Think about this. Mushrooms naturally grow in forests. What we see as wild mushrooms are in fact a crucial element in the natural ecosystem that helps forests rejuvenate and recycle on their own without any intervention from human beings.

It is the mushrooms and fungi activity that converts all dead wood, plant and animal waste into nutrients for the regrowth of trees and other forest elements.

They replenish the soil with nourishing nutrients, giving it the boost it needs to continue manage the entire ecosystem of the forest.

These mushrooms appear and even disappear on their own after the job is done.

This is a natural process. It has been developed by nature itself.

Therefore, emergence of mushrooms in your lawn is mainly a sign of nature doing its job.

Why mushrooms in some cases can pose a risk to the health of your garden?

As established already, you do not have to worry about mushrooms growing on your garden lawn.

Typically, new mushrooms appear and fade away on their own. The fungi going through its reproduction process will only enrich your soil and strengthen grass roots.

Their help with decomposing organic matter results in providing an essential food source to plants, necessary for their growth.

However, there are two instances when fungus growth and appearance of mushrooms can pose a risk to the health of your garden or your family members.

Poisonous Mushrooms

In most cases, backyard mushrooms are non-poisonous.

You will usually see varieties such as white mushrooms or shaggy ink cap mushrooms growing on your lawn.

However, in very rare circumstances, given the right conditions and several other factors, you could get toadstools or poisonous mushrooms growing in your garden.

There are no scientific ways to distinguish between a poisonous and non-poisonous mushroom. A simple homeowner or gardener will definitely not be able to tell the difference.

Now, even if the mushroom in your garden was poisonous, it will not pose a risk till you actually try to cook and eat it.

On the other hand, if you have pets who you think might nibble at the mushrooms, that could in fact, be dangerous.

Little children can also get curious and touch these mushrooms. It may become a risk if they in turn put their hands inside their mouth without thoroughly washing them.

Hence, if you are worried about what your pets or little children may end up doing with the garden mushrooms, it may be a good idea to get rid of them.

Another thing to remember, even if the garden mushrooms are not poisonous, they are not edible so please do not try to cook with them.

Lawn Diseases

Mushrooms can actually make your grass healthier, greener and stimulate plant growth.

However, do keep a look out if the opposite is visible.

If you feel that the leaves of your plants have developed yellow spots, they have started to droop, there are signs of pale yellowish green grass or there are other plant health issues, you may be dealing with some type of lawn disease.

There are different species of fungi and they do not always act in a similar manner.

It is possible that the fungi in your garden is causing root rot and other issues.

While this is rare, it does happen from time to time.

If you are indeed dealing with species of fungi that are creating lawn diseases, you need to treat your soil to completely get rid of them. Just removing the mushrooms will not help in this case.

How to get rid of mushrooms and fungi from your garden lawn

How to get rid of mushrooms growing on your garden lawn?

Getting rid of the mushrooms that appear on your lawn is actually quite simple.

1) Wear gloves and simply remove the mushrooms by hand. Pull them from the stalk or cut them with a knife and carefully dispose in a trash bag.

Remember, mushrooms cannot be put in the compost pile. They will only end up feeding on organic matter, release spores and spread further.

2) Use your lawnmower to quickly cut your grass and remove mushrooms all at once.

3) Use nitrogen fertilizer on any decaying organic matter to quicken the process and cut off the food source for fungi or mushrooms.

4) Use homemade organic mushroom removers such as vinegar solution, soap water mixture or other liquids to spray over mushroom affected areas.

Do take care that you spray only on the mushrooms and bit of the surrounding areas as otherwise your healthy grass or plants could die as well.

5) If your lawn has been infected by a disease and you need to get rid of the fungi itself, then it is slightly trickier.

The best way to achieve this is to use fungicide chemicals that are safe for garden use.

First, carefully remove all the mushrooms. Then spray the fungicide all over your plants and grass.

As far as possible, use natural fungicides as I am not convinced if the chemicals used are 100% safe for gardening.

Do keep in mind that fungi will be back if they find ideal growing conditions such as high moisture, humidity, dampness, excess lawn thatch, decaying organic matter etc.

So you need to ensure that you minimize these conditions as much as possible for fungi and mushrooms not to return.

Final summary on mushrooms in your garden

Mushrooms appearing on your garden lawn is quite normal and a natural process.

Even with a new lawn and fresh soil, fungi slowly reproduce and spread resulting in mushrooms.

You will mostly see them grow in shady areas with poor drainage. They can grow on woody material or on your lawn grass.

Mushrooms are a sign of a healthy lawn ecosystem and nothing to be worried about.

The only two instances when they pose a risk is if in very rare conditions, you have poisonous mushrooms or fungi causing lawn diseases.

To get rid of mushrooms completely, you have to not just remove them and the fungi, but also ensure they do not have the right conditions needed to regrow in your garden.

by
Read More
How to Use Reusable Patio Paving Molds
In Gardening

How to Use Reusable Garden Patio Paving Molds

4 Mins Read

When we wrote about cheap patio paving ideas last month, a lot of you were interested in knowing more about how to use reusable patio paving molds as that was the best option for DIY garden pathways and patio designs.

Hence today, I thought of talking more about these wonderful plastic molds that can be used in a variety of ways in your garden.

What are Reusable Garden Patio Paving Molds?

As the name suggests, these are reusable molds mainly made of Polypropylene Plastic (PP) Resin that can be used to create beautiful garden pathways, patios and designer walkways around your house.

They are extremely easy to use and currently provides the simplest and cheapest DIY option for your garden.

Typically, reusable patio paving molds have a 2 inch depth and come in various patterns.

How to Use Reusable Patio Paving Molds for Garden Pathways

Using reusable patio paving molds in your garden is as easy as it can get.

You will need:

  • Your garden patio mold (obviously)
  • Store bought concrete mix or pre-mixed concrete
  • Water
  • Flat Trowel
  • Bucket or wheel barrow or anything else where you can mix the concrete with water and carry easily around your garden.

Steps to Use:

1) First mark the area where you want to create your pathway or base of your patio.

Prepare this area by removing any lose stones or anything else that may come in the way.

2) Mix the concrete with water and get it ready for use.

3) Place the mold where you want to start and carefully start pouring the concrete mix in the gaps ensuring the patterns of the mold get filled properly.

4) Use a trowel to flatten the concrete to your liking.

5) Once the concrete is semi-dry, remove the mold and place it wherever you want to continue next.

Note: Do not wait for the concrete to dry to remove the mold. If you do, you may not be able to remove the mold later on.

6) Keep reusing till your pathway or patio base is complete.

7) Once your pathway or patio design is done and the concrete has dried out, you will notice gaps between the shapes where the mold was placed. You can either fill these gaps with stones, plant grass, add soil or just fill up the gaps with concrete once again if you wish.

For pathways, you may not want to fill the gaps at all as this gives the stepping stones effect.

You get reusable garden molds in the market in a variety of shapes. From abstract patterns to circular, rectangles etc.

Depending upon your usage, you can buy the shape that best suits your needs or even buy multiple molds to create unique patterns.

Where to Buy?

Reusable patio paving molds for your garden, concrete mix and trowel can be bought at any home improvement store.

You can even buy these on Amazon and other online retailers.

Other Uses

Most individuals use reusable plastic garden molds for building patio designs and beautiful pathways.

However, these molds are quite versatile and can be used in other creative ways.

For example, you could use the molds to plant seeds of specific flowers of different colors. With this, you will have flowers blooming in various patterns in your garden.

You could plant may be red flowers on one shape and yellow flowers in the other.

You could also add soil and plant grass in various shapes.

Depending upon the pattern of your mold, you can use them in your garden in a way that gives it a unique aesthetic appeal.

Final thoughts

I just love my reusable garden patio paving mold. It has helped me create a garden the way I wanted it to be without the huge expenses and heavy labor involved.

If you enjoy spending time in your garden, maintaining it yourself, you will enjoy working with these reusable molds for sure.

by
Read More
Cheap Patio Paving Ideas for Any Budget
In Gardening

Cheap Patio Paving Ideas for Any Budget

7 Mins Read

I remember viewing an image of someone’s backyard. It had a beautifully paved stone path from their patio leading to a small gazebo. It was simple, gorgeous and just felt like paradise even though it was just someone’s backyard in the suburbs.

That image stayed with me for a long time and when I had a house with a small backyard, I knew what I wanted. I was going to build a patio with a paved path around the garden. That is all that I wanted and I was already having dreams of all the lovely evenings I would spend on my patio every day.

Unfortunately my dreams soon had to face reality when I learned how much patio stones cost. What was even worse was the labor charges. I realized there is no way I could afford the patio of my dreams with a beautiful stone path across the garden.

Being someone who does not accept defeat too easily, I soon started researching on cheap patio paving ideas. I knew there had to be a way for families like mine to afford a paved path that felt as gorgeous as anything else but did not create a huge dent on our pockets.

My main focus while researching were as follows:

  1. The cost of materials should be affordable.
  2. It should be something that I can do myself to avoid the huge labor costs involved with professional patio paving.
  3. There will be no compromise on quality as well as aesthetics.

It sounded like I was asking for too much but luckily after just a bit of looking around, I found not one but several solutions.

So here are my amazing cheap patio paving ideas without any compromise whatsoever.

Reusable Patio Paving Molds

Say hello to my new best friend.

Reusable patio paving molds are the best thing that happened to me for my beautiful garden patio.

Basically they are molds mainly made of Polypropylene Plastic (PP) Resin. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes from artistic patterns to circles, rectangles, squares to a combination of shapes.

Cheap garden patio paving molds

These patio paving molds typically have a depth of 2 inches and have about one inch gap between the shapes where you can fill in premixed concrete. Once the concrete has been poured, you need to smoothen it out and let it get to a semi-dry consistency.

At that time, simply remove the mold and reuse to create the rest of the patio or pathway that you are building. Depending upon the type of mold, thickness and shape, you can remove the mold for reuse almost immediately after wet concrete has been poured and smoothened.

Patio paving molds make your work so much simpler, it is quite unbelievable. They are cheap, makes building your patio or garden pathway a quick and easy job and you can buy concrete to mix with water at any home store.

You can even purchase multiple paving molds of different shapes to create unique patterns around your patio or garden.

Salvaged Stone

Cheap patio paving with salvaged stone

If you have your heart set on patio stones but are having budget issues, then maybe you can look for salvaged or reclaimed stone.

Similar to the concept of using reclaimed wood in construction, salvaged stone is that stone that has already been used in a property in the past. This stone is usually salvaged for further use if the property goes into any kind of reconstruction, renovation or is damaged due to any reason.

If you get lucky, you can get excellent stones ranging from granites or limestones that have been salvaged from old constructions such as historic buildings, walls or even railroad projects.

Salvaged stones provide a strong character to your patio and depending upon its previous use, you can have a piece of history in your backyard.

However, you need to remember two things when purchasing salvages stones.

First, they usually come in inconsistent sizes and may be a bit off from its original shape. This is because of the natural wear and tear they have gone through over time and how they were salvaged. The age of the property where they were used previously also plays a role on how salvaged stones look when they are resold in the market.

The other thing you need to remember is while these stones may be cheaper than buying new ones, they still do require a lot of work to properly place on your garden patio or wall. If you are not used to construction or building things, it can get tough to do it yourself.

One clever use of salvaged stone is using them as stepping stones in a pathway around your garden. That way, the uneven sizes of the stones actually end up looking quite artistic and is much less labor intensive.

Overall if you do not mind the work, then salvaged stones are a good way to build beautiful budget friendly patios.

Patio Bricks

If you are not too stuck on using stone for your patio or garden, I strongly suggest to look at patio bricks as an option.

Patio bricks are usually small rectangular shaped bricks that come in various shades. You can choose to have one shade across your patio or mix multiple shades one after the other to give an artistic effect.

Patio bricks can also be placed flat on the ground either horizontally or vertically. Some homeowners prefer to create patterns by alternating between horizontal and vertically laid bricks on their patio.

One key advantage of patio bricks is that they are quite light but at the same time durable. Being light weight, any one can handle them easily.

You do have to bend your back a bit to ensure the bricks are placed firm on the ground with cement and are also even when walking around. Uneven bricks can cause accidents if people trip over them.

However, if you can handle them, then they are a good low cost alternative that is pleasing to look at and provide a robust, long-lasting feel to your patio.

Interlocking Pavers

Interlocking patio bricks

Interlocking pavers are a great option if you want to make things simpler for yourself. They can be placed quite easily to create a beautiful patio in your garden.

Interlocking pavers have been used extensively in building footpaths, streets and walkways all across the globe.

Just like patio bricks, interlocking pavers are light but sturdy. Since they have an interlocking mechanism between the bricks, they are easy to install even by homeowners.

Interlocking pavers can come in various shapes. From rectangles to cosmic configurations. This means you can create some really interesting, artistic flooring for your patio.

They can come is various colors as well. A red brick type shade to greyish shades, you can opt for whichever goes best with your overall outdoor design.

Final thoughts

Whether you are building a patio or a pathway around your garden, cost should not come in the way of your dreams.

There are various cheap patio paving options available for all budgets and skill levels.

Just take some time initially to go through all the options and choose the one that speaks to you the most. It is also possible to mix and match options such as using patio bricks along with molds and salvaged stones strategically placed around the garden.

The only limitation is your imagination. So go ahead and build the patio that you have always desired.

by
Read More