Is this curved pattern of mushrooms, commonly known as a fairy ring, the work of fungi or the aftermath of a supernatural dance party?
Photo credit: L.A. Jackson
In the unending quest for perfect lawns, South Carolina homeowners who successfully battle the typical challenges of bad bugs, diseases and drought are sometimes mystified by what might seem to be tribulation by magic, for the fairy ring doth lurk.
You heard that right—fairy ring.
When rains return after an extended dry spell, mushrooms may pop up in the yard. Sometimes, groupings of these uninvited fungi form a mysterious curved pattern or even a full circle. This oddity can even manifest itself minus the mushrooms in an arched band of grass that is greener and taller than surrounding grass.
Any capable wizard will tell you such a ring is the result of fairies dancing in circles on the lawn at night, with their enchanted tootsies turning the grass greener, and the mushrooms being conjured up as stools for the blithe spirits to sit a spell while watching the festivities.
I’m not a wizard, but I do have another explanation: Fairy rings are caused by soil-borne fungi circling and feeding on an underground organic source such as a stump, old board or dead tree root. In the process of breaking the decaying matter down, the busy fungi, besides developing mushrooms, release nutrients into the soil, which explains the greener grass.
For preventing fairy rings, special spells might help, but a more practical solution is to keep the lawn clear of underground debris on which such fungi feed. If you use topsoil or fill dirt to renovate a lawn, make sure it is screened.
To eliminate an existing fairy ring, one approach is to use a pry bar or garden fork to stab holes 8 inches deep into the ring, and then saturate the area with water several times over the course of a few weeks. This will help break up the mycelium, the underground fungal network that fuels mushroom production. In fact, aerating the area beyond the ring will weaken its ability to grow (it can expand over the years) while providing a friendly field for stronger stands of grass.
Patrolling the lawn and breaking off any mushrooms before they release spores can also weaken a ring. A last resort (for gardeners who enjoy hard, sweaty labor) is to dig up the ring and dispose of the tainted topsoil.
As an alternative, leave the circle unbroken. Often, a fairy ring will simply fade away after a few years. During that time, if it is noticed at any garden gathering you might have, just start the conversation off with, “Well, you see, these magical creatures come over to party at night, and ….”
Tip of the Month
Have an ugly wire fence? Want a summertime privacy screen? Do the rails on your deck need dressing up? If your answer is “Yes” to one or more of these questions, now is a good time to plant any of the many fast-growing, flowering vines such as moonvine, mandevilla, morning glory, black-eyed Susan vine, cardinal climber, scarlet runner bean, firecracker vine, cypress vine or purple hyacinth bean. All of these vines can be grown from seed, but for quicker coverage, consider buying young plants from local nurseries.
May in the garden
- If pretty flowering annuals such as salvias, zinnias, marigolds, cosmos and petunias have just found places in your flower border, abuse them. Pinch their tips back after they reach about 6 to 8 inches tall to encourage branching, which will lead to bushier growth and more blooms.
- Avoid disappointing mouth puckering by keeping gardengrown cucumbers mulched and on a regular watering schedule when the rains don’t come. This will prevent a nasty, bitter taste due to the stress of dry conditions.
Birds will be working overtime with spring activities this month, so don’t forget to lightly wipe the birdbath and refill it with refreshing water at least once a week.
L.A. JACKSON is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com