Fairy ring

What does it look like?

This disease brings everything but the kitchen sink, being caused by more than 60 species of fungi. It will materialize as formations of dead rings or arcs varying from as little as 2 feet up to a whopping 200 feet in diameter. The presence of mushrooms is a tell-tale sign, as is a dark-green band backed by brown, dying grass. Within the perimeter, weeds quickly take hold as well, adding insult to injury.

When is a lawn susceptible?

This heavy-duty disease occurs during warm, moist periods that have been followed by summer drought stress. Fairy ring often indicates decaying organic matter nearby, which makes it common around tree stumps.

How can we get rid of it?

The hard truth is that eliminating fairy ring is impossible unless you remove the soil in the infested area. Here, an ounce of prevention is really worth a pound of cure, so keep your lawn healthy. Make sure nitrogen and water are adequate, but not excessive. Aerate infected areas to improve the absorption of water and keep thatch down. To eradicate the fungi outright, you will have to remove at least 12 inches of the soil.