Gardeners alerted about potential dangers of mushrooms appearing in UK gardens this season

If you have a garden with grass, you may want to keep a close eye on it. The fresh warning comes as people are being told that they may have dangerous mushrooms in their garden - and you may need to act fast.

Currently across UK gardens, clusters of mushrooms can be seen sprouting and while they may seem harmless, mushroom experts from Urban Farm say. They explain that repeated appearances could point to an issue happening beneath the soil. The experts warn: "When mushrooms appear regularly in lawns, it may be a sign that there is rotting material under the surface.

"Old tree roots or buried wood could provide the perfect conditions for fungi to thrive." Stressing that the mushrooms that show up above ground are just part of the picture, it further warns that whilst a natural process may benefit soil health, certain varieties could also raise concerns.

They note: "What you see on the lawn is the fruiting body - essentially the flowering part of a much larger fungal network. Beneath the surface, mycelium could be working its way through the soil, breaking down organic matter and helping recycle nutrients.

"Some wild mushrooms may be poisonous, meaning they could pose risks to pets or children if consumed. This is why many people choose to remove mushrooms from lawns when they appear, even though the underground fungus will usually persist until the wood or organic matter has broken down fully."

For gardeners keen to banish mushrooms, there are a couple of approaches that may help. The expert's guidance suggest: "Removing old tree roots from the soil could reduce fungal growth over time, though it can be heavy work."

You could also try aerating lawns. This improves airflow and drainage which make conditions less favourable for mushrooms.

Different types of mushrooms may appear at different times of year. For example, "Field mushrooms are common in autumn, but other species such as the Tawny Funnel may emerge later into the winter.

"Their presence could tell you more about the conditions in your soil than about the health of your lawn itself." If you want to know exactly what kind is growing, you can use the Garden Mushroom Identifier from BBC Gardeners World Magazine.

The experts from the BBC state that some are "very poisonous" meaning if you have pets or children, it is wise to get rid of these as soon as possible to avoid any accidents - it will also help any wildlife, like foxes, or neighbour's cats falling ill too.

Should I worry about mushrooms growing in the garden?

BBC Gardening experts explain that mushrooms appearing in your garden are generally a positive sign, often indicating healthy soil and the presence of decaying wood or other organic matter like fallen leaves. They play an important role in the ecosystem and serve as a food source for various wildlife, including squirrels and beetles.

They reveal that some of the more common fungi you might spot include the fairy ring fungus (Marasmius oreades), which grows in lawns without causing any harm, and the jelly ear fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae), typically found on dead wood-especially elder trees. Sadly, not all mushrooms are safe.

They caution that if you come across fungi in your garden for the first time, the key thing is not to panic. They conclude: "Remember that most fungi is good and a natural, and healthy part of the ecosystem.

"Take time to identify which species you have and enjoy seeing which species come along to eat it."