Fairy Rings

Hosts, Symptoms & Signs

• can affect all lawns; do not directly attack grass

There are three types of fairy rings:

• type I: soil and thatch become hydrophobic and the grass dies; brown ring of dead grass
• type II: rings on the lawn that are 2 – 8 inches wide with lush green grass
• type III: mushrooms and puffballs are produced in the ring
• white fungal mycelium can be found in thatch and soil for all three types

Disease Cycle

• disease cycle is not known

IPM Recommendations

• Reduce thatch with proper cultural practices.
• Mask fairy ring; water deeply and fertilize to stimulate growth of grass around ring.
• For type II fairy rings, a wetting agent may be needed.
• Control with fungicide drenches is inconsistent.
• Soil replacement: remove soil about 20 inches to each side of the ring and up to 30 inches deep and replace with sterile soil. This is a very expensive management option.