Since we have had so much rain, mushrooms appeared in the mulched area under my kids playground set. Now they have grown extensions or around them these things have grown. They look like crab legs. They are that red color and even have a slit in them toward the end. They seem to be oozing brown stuff (I am assuming my soil) and they make the entire back yard stink! I haven't watered in that area since we had all the rain so that they would dry out some. They did and they appeared to be gone. This week I put new cedar mulch down (3-4 inches) on top of the playground. This morning I went out there and they are thriving again coming out of my cedar mulch! I am going to try cornmeal. Any other suggesitons? Thank you!

During wet & humid weather, the fungus/mushrooms are normal; they are doing what they are meant to do; break down wood, etc. Make sure that the area is well drained & apply horticultural or whole ground cornmeal to the area. Spraying cornmeal juice or baking soda mix to area will knock them out. Keep in mind that fungus will return if the area is moist continually.

Leaves are hard to get this time of year but if you had some left over in bags, cover the smelly stuff and the smell will be absorbed.

That smell is the evidence that you are losing nutrients, probably nitrogen.