Symptoms

Symptoms are variable, depending on the fungi responsible. Most have virtually no effect on the turf and are only noticed if toadstools appear.
You may see the following symptoms:

• An irregular green ring of grass gradually expanding across the turf (Type 2)
• An irregular ring of dead grass gradually expanding across the turf (Type 1) immediately adjacent to the dead grass, the grass may be greener than usual.
• Crops of brown toadstools at certain times of the year (Type 3)

Control

Non-chemical control

Since the toadstools produce huge volumes of airborne spores which are carried long distances, there is little point in removing toadstools from the lawn to try and reduce the risk of infection.

In principle, excavating the active ‘front’ of the colony (ie the ring) and replacing with fresh soil would remove the ring. In practice this would mean removing turf and soil to at least 30cm (1ft) depth, replacing with fresh soil and returfing or reseeding, which would be very expensive and scarcely feasible.

Where dead patches of grass occur, spiking and watering to break up the water-repellent properties of the fungal colony is helpful, as is feeding.

Chemical control

There are some fungicides with a wetting agent added available for fairy ring control, however they are not guaranteed to cure the problem. Please speak to you CTT adviser for more information.