Fairy rings

Fairy rings are circular patterns of mushrooms or lush grass in turf.

Fungi primarily colonise thatch at the turf base and/or organic matter within the soil, usually caused by an infrequent watering and fertilising regime. The rings of stimulated grass growth are the result of nitrogen released in the soil by the Fairy ring’s activity underground, breaking down organic matter to release ammonia, which is then processed by soil micro-organisms into nitrates.

There are three types of Fairy ring.

Type 1 Fairy rings (the Marasmius oreades fungus) typically appear as a ring of dead or stressed turf, bordered on both inner and outer edges by a band of stimulated grass growth. New rings can appear just as green ‘patches’. It is prevalent in hot, dry conditions and may cause turf death by soil water repellency and/or toxic substances.

Type 2 Fairy rings (Agaricus spp. and Lycoperdon spp.) of stimulated grass growth are seen normally without fruiting bodies. It is rare that excessive damage is caused to the turf.

Type 3 Fairy rings (Hygrophorus spp. and Psilocybe spp.) have no distinct affect on turfgrass except when the fruiting bodies are present (normally during the autumn) when they form rings of mushrooms or puffballs. These obviously affect the quality of the sports surface.

Approved fungicides can be used on Type 2 Fairy ring.