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Fairy Rings

Sometimes mushrooms will develop and form large circles in lawns. Each year the circle expands. When these circles or "Fairy Rings" are small there may be no effect on the grass, but as they continue to expand, a zone of stimulation forms where the mushrooms come up. Inside this is an area of poor grass growth, or even dead grass. This is the zone of inhibition. Another zone of stimulation may occur inside the dead or dying zone.

Fairy Rings are unsightly but very difficult to control, and the average homeowner may prefer to live with the problem. One way to eliminate Fairy Ring is to dig it out, although this is seldom practical. Mark out an area at least one foot beyond the ring and remove all sod in that area. Then remove all the soil in that area to a depth of one foot, being careful not to spill any on the lawn. Refill the hole with new soil and reseed or resod. Seeding is preferable as there is less danger of reintroducing the Fairy Ring fungi. Doing this job without spilling any soil and reintroducing the Fairy Ring fungi is extremely difficult.

For those who decide to live with the problem, there are several ways to minimize damage to the grass in Fairy Rings. The grass should be fertilized with nitrogen several times a year to help mask symptoms. Most of the Fairy Ring growth (a fungal mat) is in the ground underneath the Fairy Rings, and this growth causes the soil to become nearly impervious to water. Using a "root feeder" attachment on a garden hose, punch holes at least every foot in the yellowing or dying area and pump large amounts of water into the ground to a depth of 10-24 inches. Repeat frequently. Increasing the soil moisture may also change the ecological balance enough to retard the growth of the Fairy Ring fungi. Application of a wetting agent to the area may also increase soil permeability and help to lessen symptoms. Aeration also reduces the symptom severity.