Fairy rings haunt British lawns: A gardener's hidden battle
Unusual mushroom rings have started to appear again on British lawns. Gardeners warn that ignoring the first symptoms can lead to the phenomenon destroying the entire lawn.
To some, they resemble fairy-tale images, while others still associate them with ancient beliefs. However, fairy rings are far from a fairy tale–gardeners consider them a lawn disease and treat them as a serious problem. The mushrooms that create the rings grow underground, so their presence remains unnoticed for a long time. When they start to appear, it might be too late to save the pristine green lawn.
Once they appear, they return every year
The fungal mycelium of fairy rings spreads radially, taking over larger lawn areas. Mushrooms appear on the rings' outer edges, and the grass in the centre often withers or dies. In favourable conditions, such as moisture and warm soil, the mushrooms grow intensively, and the rings can reach several metres in diameter.
Simply collecting mushrooms from the surface is not sufficient. The fruiting bodies are just the "tip of the iceberg," as an invisible network of mycelium develops under the turf, producing new specimens each year. Without the gardener's intervention, the phenomenon will only intensify.
Care and prevention
To limit mushroom growth, a gardener should maintain proper lawn care. Regular mowing, removing cut grass, watering, and fertilising are essential. In the spring, it is worthwhile to perform verticutting, which involves thoroughly cleaning the turf of dead matter, and aeration—the process of ventilating the soil.
If the mushrooms still return, gardeners resort to fungicides. While fungicides do not eliminate the problem, they help stop the growth of the mycelium. The key to success, however, lies in consistency and observation. Only regular monitoring of the lawn's condition allows for quick reactions and the restoration of the garden's former glory.
