From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
Subject: Re: Mushrooms in lawn
Date: 22 Jun 92 20:51:46 -0500

bollard@hpspkla.spk.hp.com (Lee M. Bollard) writes: 
> I'm noticing mushrooms in my lawn recently.  Should I cut down on
> the watering?  What causes mushrooms?

Mushrooms on the lawn means you've got both not-yet-thoroughly rotted
organic matter and enough water for the mushrooms to grow.

I think the questions you're really asking are
1) are mushrooms on the lawn harmful (no)
and 
2) how can I tell if I'm watering the lawn correctly.

The answer to the second question is best obtained with a soil probe
or a spade.  Take a 12" deep slice of lawn and take a look at it: 
are the grass roots down to at least 6"?  Is the soil damp 6-12"
down?  If so, you're doing things right.  If your grasses have shallow
roots, or if the soil isn't damp at least to 6" a couple of hours
after watering, you are applying too little water too often.