How To Get Rid Of Mushrooms In A Flower Bed

If you’ve put in the work and planted a flower bed or two, you may be dismayed to find mushrooms growing within them. Of course, you’re probably wondering both how they got there and, more importantly, how to get rid of them without harming your beloved flowers. Below, I’ve covered all you need to know and what to do about the matter. 

So how do you get rid of mushrooms in a flower bed? You can get rid of mushrooms in a flower bed by either pulling them out physically (by hand) or by applying certain safe fungicides (such as vinegar or baking soda). Either way, you need to do so with utmost care to protect the flowers. 

It sounds pretty straightforward, right?

But there is a little more to it.

A great starting point is to familiarise yourself with why mushrooms started to grow in the first place. 

So read on to learn more. 

Why Have I Got Mushrooms Growing In My Flower Bed?

Mushrooms grow in flower beds when there is too much moisture. These fungi thrive in wet conditions. So whether you’ve been overwatering your flower bed or it’s a particularly wet month or season, it’s quite likely that a mushroom or two will sprout up. 

How To Effectively Remove Mushrooms From A Flower Bed

Some are poisonous. Others have health benefits. But most gardeners agree that mushrooms don’t make the most aesthetically pleasing addition to a well-thought-out flower bed. 

Thankfully, eliminating them is a straightforward enough task. 

Here are a few approaches for you to mull over: 

Be Careful

First, you’ll want to take heed of their surroundings.

Become familiar with which flowers are close by and their exact proximity to the mushrooms.

This will indicate how at risk they are as you embark on your termination journey! 

Once you’re comfortable with the area you’re working with, proceed to remove the mushrooms via any of the below-mentioned methods. Just take your pick! 

Dig Them Out

Time to get hands-on!

Many gardeners favor the good old-fashioned approach of pulling the mushrooms out of the flower bed.

You’ll be pleased to know that there are several types of nifty hand-held digging tools that you can use to do so. This one from Amazon is particularly good.

As well as digging out the mushrooms, it is recommended that you also dig out the soil in which they were located.

Replace the spot with fresh soil, and voila!

Now, not only have you removed the mushrooms, but with no fungal traces remaining, you’ll prevent a reemergence too.

Who doesn’t love a permanent approach?!

Additionally, this method is one that allows for utmost accuracy.

You’ll be pulling the mushrooms out, and you won’t harm the surrounding plants because you simply won’t pull them out.

The control is truly in your hands. Only when you go about replenishing the soil be sure not to interfere with your flower’s root systems. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a renowned fungi killer and an eco-friendly one at that.

All you need is a couple of tablespoons of baking soda combined with around a gallon of water in a spray bottle.

Spray away, and you’ll quickly transform the soil to an alkaline state.

In turn, the mushrooms, which thrive in acidic conditions, will begin to die out. 

Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that this approach is a temporary one.

Whilst alkalising the soil will inhibit the growth of the mushrooms; it fails to eliminate their presence beneath the soil.

As the pH of the soil begins to neutralize, the fungi remnants left behind will continue to grow, and you may just find yourself in the same situation all over again. 

Vinegar

Another super effective homemade fungicide.

With just a cup of vinegar combined with four cups of water, you’ll get rid of those mushrooms in no time.

Not only will it kill them on the surface, but it’s also often strong enough to penetrate their spores too.

Thus reducing the likelihood of an imminent reemergence. 

But there’s a catch! Isn’t there always? Vinegar is non-discriminatory, and if it’s accidentally sprayed on the flowers surrounding the mushrooms, it will harm them too.

Precision is a must! 

Bleach

You could also use bleach to remove the mushrooms in your flower bed.

It’s strong and effective, but its high chemical makeup means that it’s a fairly contested approach.

Whilst it can be relied on to evoke mushroom fatalities left, right, and center, it also poses a significant ecological risk.

Even when diluted with water, it will harm anything that it comes into contact with – be it mushrooms, soil, flowers, and even pets and little humans.

Use with caution, if at all!  

How Long Does It Take To Remove Mushrooms From A Flower Bed?

It can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks to remove mushrooms from a flower bed, it depends on your chosen removal method.

For instance, If you opt to dig the mushrooms out, they’ll be gone as soon as you’re done replacing the soil. 

However, if you choose to use a fungicide, the time taken to remove the mushrooms will depend on the strength of your solution as well as how heavy the infestation is. 

Typically, it takes anywhere from a day to a week, and usually, a few resprays are required to ensure a thorough job. 

Things To Consider When Removing Mushrooms From A Flower Bed

Be Accurate

Precision is fundamental. Whether you’re spraying the mushrooms or digging them out, the more accurate you are, the less likely it is that you will needlessly harm surrounding plants that really ought to be kept healthy.

A targeted approach is a successful approach! 

Move Quickly

Aim to remove the mushrooms as soon as you spot them.

This way, you’ll be able to tackle the mushrooms before their infestation becomes larger and more complex.

It’ll be an easier job for you, so be as proactive as possible! 

Address The Root Cause

Removal is great, but prevention is better!

Once you’ve removed the mushroom infestation, consider what caused them to pop up in the first place.

Are you overwatering the soil? Is it draining well? Or perhaps the flower beds aren’t getting sunlight.

Evaluate away, and you may find that you have a few changes to make. 

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