The following questions were
sent to the P&PDL
diagnosticians here at Purdue University:
Question 1: How do you get rid of mushrooms that grow
among the grass? The mushrooms are in a ring of approximately
4 ft. diameter.
Question 2: How can you get rid of fairyring besides
digging up the ring and replacing the soil and sod?
Question 3: There are dark green circles in my lawn.
What are they and what should I do about them?
descriptions are typical of fairy rings caused by a diverse family
of fungi called basidiomycetes. Fairy rings might be six inches
to two feet wide and can be anywhere from two feet to hundreds
of feet in diameter and expanding yearly.
The presence of mushrooms usually indicates an organic source
of nutrients, such as a buried tree stump, is nearby. When you
see a mushroom growing in a lawn, you are only seeing a small
part of the fungus. The fungus also grows underground as a thread-like
mass that is called mycelium. This mycelium tends to grow in
all directions from a central point. Thus, an invisible circular
pattern occurs. The fruiting bodies (mushrooms) then tend to
appear in a circular pattern.
The term "fairy ring" comes
from a superstition that the mushrooms growing in a circle
represent the path of dancing fairies. Usually on the inside
of the fairy ring, a dark green ring of grass will be evident.
This is because extra nitrogen is available in that area where
the fungal mycelium has died.
There is no good control for fairy ring. Mushrooms can be temporarily
removed by regular mowing or raking. Since fairy rings are most
visible on low fertility conditions, you can mask the fairy rings
by regular applications of low rates of nitrogen.
--Peggy Sellers and Zac Reicher
Information listed is valid only for the state of Indiana.
The information given herein is supplied with the understanding
that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is implied.
Any person using products listed assumes full responsibility
for their use in accordance with current direction of the manufacturer.
Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution.