Reducing mushroom growth
Can I use Kosher salt to help get rid of wild mushrooms?
**FULL QUESTION:** Two years ago, the city cut down a large tree in front of our home. Unfortunately, they did not completely remove the roots, which means I get wild mushroom growth every summer. I have heard that Kosher salt can help reduce the growth of the mushrooms... is there anything else I can do to solve this problem?
*- Sandra*
**ANSWER:**
Hi Sandra.
The mushrooms are growing from the dead and decaying tree roots and are not harmful to lawn grasses; in fact, they are quite beneficial to plants. But if you don’t like the look of the mushrooms in your lawn, you can just knock them down (kick through the grass in your gardening shoes). Please don’t use salt on them: that will adversely affect the grass and all the microorganisms vital to healthy soil.
According to the University of California’s IPM program, you can sometimes eliminate mushrooms growing from organic matter by applying a high-nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn: for instance, 6 pounds of 16-6-8 or 4 pounds of 27-3-4 per 1,000 square feet of lawn.
Fertilization hastens decomposition of organic matter (and will give you nice green grass, too). Be sure to water the fertilizer in well after applying.
Hope that helps!
*Karen York, GL Botanical Editor*
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