Find out what causes those mysterious circles of mushrooms on your lawn and how to prevent fairy rings.
Fairy rings are steeped in folklore.
Its easy to see how they acquired a mystical reputation.
Credit:Citysqwirl / Getty Images
In many cases, the nearly perfect circles of lush green grass or mushrooms pop up overnight.
Like magic, a patch of mundane lawn suddenly sports a 3- to 15-foot diameter circle or partial circle.
And are these fairy rings in lawn harmful to your grass?
Find out these answers, and get tips for preventing fairy rings in your lawn.
Citysqwirl / Getty Images
What Causes Fairy Rings?
By morning, all that remains of the moonlit party is a circle of extra green grass or toadstools.
Looking into the true origin of fairy rings reveals that they result from a certain set ofsoil properties.
Healthy soil is alive with all kinds of organisms, such as worms, bacteria, and fungi.
Fairy rings form when a particular fungus is exceptionally active in the soil.
Fairy ring fungi feed ondecaying organic matterfrom tree stumps, roots, and twigs buried in the soil.
As fungi feed, they release nitrogen in a relatively circular pattern.
Some fairy ring fungi produce mushrooms in a similar circular fashion.
Types of Fairy Rings
There are three types of fairy rings.
They differ based on the soil characteristics, the fungus involved, and the environmental conditions.
jot down 1 fairy ringsare the most destructive.
The fungi that create key in 1 rings produce compounds that limit the soils ability to absorb water.
key in 2 fairy ringsare known for their bright green circles or partial circles of turf.
These fairy rings are fueled by fungi that rapidly release nitrogen as they decay organic matter.
Hot, dry weather bolsters the work of fungi that cause jot down 2 fairy rings.
When the weather pattern changes, the fairy ring will likely fade.
When dry conditions prevail, pop in 3 fairy rings are rare.
Proper mowing height, irrigation, and fertilization combine to pave the way for a thriving, fairy-ring-free lawn.
Mow properly.
Water smart.
Overwatering your lawn is more troublesome than not watering enough.Turf grass naturally goes dormantduring prolonged dry periods.
The environmental benefits of no or limited irrigation are notable.
Fertilize as needed.
Grass fertilizer needs are based on the nutrient makeup of the soil.
Lawns growing in rich loam need far fewer fertilizer applications than those growing in fast-draining sandy soil.
Get to know your soil and set a fertilizer plan based on the characteristics of the yard.
Asoil testis an easy way to learn more about your soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fairy rings are usually harmless on a home lawn.
Minimize the appearance of a grassy fairy ring by fertilizing your lawn with a balanced grass fertilizer.
Mushroom fairy rings will disappear when the weather pattern changes.
Never eat any wild mushrooms unless you’re free to positively identify them.
Many mushrooms growing on home lawns are poisonous.
