Don’s Expert Answers: Second mushroom variety growing in strawberry patch

Question From:
Cassie Potts in Coromandel Valley, Coromandel Valley South Australia

Nature of problem:
Second mushroom variety growing in strawberry patch

Type of Plant (if known):
Strawberry patch

Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
No symptoms for the strawberries, they are doing fine

Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
Raised garden bed with potting mix

How often do you water the plant:
None regularly (heavy rain)

How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
Full sun

How long since you planted it:
2 years

Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
Blood and bone and plant priobiotics

Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
Outdoors

Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
Ground

What other treatments have you given the plant:
None

Upload photo if available:

Other Comments:
Hello,
This is the second variety of ?mushroom/mould growing in the strawberry patch. Quite different from the first. My question is does the strawberry plants need to be pulled out and the soil replaced in case this is toxic? My son eats these strawberries.
Thank you very much

Answer:
Hi Cassie, Those fungi are a wonderful, natural sign that your soil is very healthy. They pose no risk to your son, but he should not eat them. Maybe this is a good learning experience for him: “They taste yukky and they make you sick – so don’t eat them”.