Fairy Ring: a dark green band of turf develops in a circle (4 inches up to 30 ft) or semicircle in moist turf; mushrooms may or may not be present; an area of brown, dying grass may occur just behind the dark green band; a second ring of dying grass may appear inside the circle; weeds commonly invade

Contact with a curb, sidewalk, planting bed, or other soil barrier will disrupt the ring pattern. When two or more rings meet, they may continue to increase in size or disappear. Elaborate serpentine patterns often appear on greens when several fairy rings grow together. Rings may suddenly disappear and reappear years later, often larger in size.

Cause Approximately 50 species of fungi are known to form fairy rings in turf, with Marasmius oreades , Agricus campestris , Lycoperdon spp., and Scleroderms spp. being the most common. These fungi decompose organic debris in the soil and thatch. Nitrogen that is released during decomposition is responsible for rapid turf growth within the ring.

Destroying the existing turf is generally required only for Type 1 fairy rings. Discard or kill a strip of sod 1 to 2 feet wide on either side of the zone of lush turf with a non-selective herbicide. Correct any soil fertility deficiencies according to soil test recommendations before turf re-establishment. Finally, reseed or install clean, ring-free sod. Follow recommended management and irrigation practices to prevent fairy ring reoccurrence.