Question: I've got fungus growing on my lawn in patches that look whitish orange, as if they were big blobs of melted marshmallows. What should I do?
The problem is a fungus, but not a fungus disease. It is a fungal growth, much like a mushroom, that results from the decaying of organic matter in the soil. For this fungus to grow, there must be some fairly large pieces of organic matter, like wood chips or dead tree roots, that need to decay. It is harmless, except that it can suffocate grass.
You can break it up with a garden rake or a jet of water from a high-pressure nozzle attached to a hose. After breaking it up, just leave it alone. It may come back again, so repeat this until it stops.
Bob Morris is an associate professor with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. He can be reached at morrisr@UNCE.unr.edu.
Archived Editions| Advertising | Contact The Staff
