Is it Safe to Have Mushrooms Growing in my Garden?

Have you ever glanced at the mushrooms sprouting in your garden and found yourself pondering, are they safe for humans, pets and for the overall health of your plants?

This article aims to demystify the world of fungi, highlighting their role in your garden and addressing key concerns about their safety.

Understanding Mushrooms

What are Mushrooms?

Mushrooms, often seen as intriguing or even mysterious, are essentially the sexual organs of many types of fungi. They play a crucial role in our ecosystem, particularly in breaking down organic matter into a form that plants can absorb.

In no-till gardens, fungus tends to dominate the soil biota, indicating a more mature and stable soil ecosystem. In contrast, tilled soil is typically bacteria-dominated. Both fungi and bacteria are beneficial, each contributing uniquely to the health of your garden.

One key component of this fungal world is mycorrhizae, a symbiotic association between a fungus and a plant. Mycorrhizae plays an essential role in plant health, aiding in nutrient absorption and providing increased resistance to diseases.

Types of Mushrooms Commonly Found in Gardens

Identifying mushrooms can be quite a challenge due to the vast variety of species. However, some commonly found in Australian gardens include Agaricus spp., Coprinus spp., and Lepiota spp., each with their unique characteristics.

Are Garden Mushrooms Safe or Dangerous?

Mushrooms and Human/Pet Health

Many garden mushrooms are harmless and can even contribute positively to your garden’s health, provided they’re not ingested. Edible mushrooms should ideally be purchased from grocery stores or fruit and veg shops.

Wild mushrooms, although intriguing, can pose a risk if not correctly identified by trained individuals. Remember, “you don’t know what you don’t know,” and there may be a poisonous lookalike lurking in your garden that you’ve not yet encountered.

Certain mushrooms, particularly some found in Australia, can pose potential dangers due to their poisonous nature or allergenic properties. Ingesting a meal with poisonous mushrooms can lead to severe health complications, making it crucial to seek immediate medical attention if such an incident occurs.

Note that touching a poisonous mushroom with your hands isn’t such a big deal most of the time – ensure you wash your hands well to avoid cross-contamination.

The first step would be to avoid eating wild mushrooms. But if you have young kids or pets, that can be easier said than done.

If you’re concerned that a member of the family may eat the mushrooms, call the poisons hotline on 13 11 26, and then get them identified ASAP. One of the easiest ways to do this is through the iNaturalist app, where you can gain identifications by enthusiasts and experts.

Identifying mushroom often goes beyond the surface. You may need to photograph the top, stem, gills, take a cross section of the mushroom, the substrate it’s growing out of, and take a spore print.

If, by some incredible misfortune, you happen to be accidentally growing a poisonous mushroom in your garden and you’re concerned about someone who can’t be trusted to leave them alone, then you might reach out to a qualified mycologist or a horticulturist to remove them.

This will almost certainly involve using a fungicide, which will negatively impact your garden’s soil biota.

Mushrooms and Plant Health

Contrary to some beliefs, mushrooms are generally a good sign in the garden. They indicate a living soil biome and play a crucial role in breaking down leaves, mulch, and other dead matter into nutrient-rich compost.

Instead of trying to eradicate these beneficial fungi, I recommend that you learn to love them. Fighting against them will probably do more harm than good, from a horticultural perspective.

However, it’s worth noting that while most fungi are after dead material, some mushrooms are pathogens of living plants. Mushrooms growing on a tree trunk could indicate a declining tree, warranting a consultation with an arborist.

Some fungal pathogens, like myrtle rust, don’t have easily recognisable fruiting bodies or may appear entirely different from typical mushrooms. If you have a fungus-infected plant that’s resisting natural treatments (especially cultural controls), consider removing it and putting something more resilient in the space.

Daniel’s Wrap

Mushrooms, with their diverse forms and functions, are fascinating components of our gardens. Their presence indicates a healthy, vibrant soil ecosystem and contributes significantly to nutrient cycling.

While caution is necessary to prevent accidental ingestion, particularly by pets or children, most fungi should generally be seen as friends rather than foes. If you simply don’t like the look of them, try to adjust your perception. If you look at them up-close, aren’t they kind of amazing?

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