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Posted by on July 4, 2006, 12:42 pm
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Budget101.com wrote:
> >> Would really appreciate any
> > ideas on how to get rid of mushrooms from our lawn. <<
>
> Fairy Rings
> Circular or semi-circular green bands of grass in a lawn may be caused by
> fairy ring fungi. Rings may be from 1 to 12 or more feet in diameter and
> mushrooms may or may not be present. Fairy rings get their name from the
> ancient belief that mushrooms grew in circles where fairies danced. All
> grasses are susceptible to fairy rings and several species of
> mushroom-producing fungi may be involved. In central and northern California
> Marasmius oreades is a common species, while in southern California Lepiota
> species are more common.
>
> Sometimes the only effect of the fungus is to stimulate grass growth in arcs
> or circles; this growth is caused by the release of plant nutrients as the
> fungal hyphae decompose organic matter in the soil. In other cases the soil
> just inside the ring may become so permeated by the fungal growth that water
> penetration is retarded and the grass in that area grows poorly or dies.
> Fairy rings often continue to enlarge for many years. As the ring expands,
> the older portions of the fungus die, leaving a larger area in the center
> where weeds and undesirable grasses may become established.
>
> Management. When the only effect of a fairy ring fungus is a ring of tall,
> green grass, increasing fertilizer and irrigation will usually mask these
> symptoms.
>
> If fairy ring has caused significant dying or dead areas of grass, then lawn
> renovation may be required. If the grass is not dead, it can reestablish
> itself if water penetration is improved by breaking up the dense fungal mat
> of mycelia. To improve penetration, remove cores of soil that are at least
> 1/4 to 1 inch in diameter and slightly deeper than the fungal mat.
>
> Determine the depth of the fungal mat by probing the lawn area with a
> trowel, shovel, or long screwdriver. If the mat is less than 3 inches thick,
> the use of a lawn aerator a few times a year may be sufficient to improve
> water penetration. Begin 2 feet outside the margin of the ring and work
> inwards. Sweep or rake up the cores and remove them from the turfgrass.
>
> If the fungal mat is more than 3 inches thick, a lawn aerator may not be
> able to effectively remove cores of sufficient length. Also, lawn aerators
> may not be powerful enough to penetrate some soils. In these cases, a soil
> probe, small auger, or shovel may be needed to penetrate through and break
> up the fungal mat. Remove as much of the infested soil as possible. Refill
> large holes with fresh soil that is relatively free of organic matter.
>
> Dead areas in tall fescue or other bunch-type lawns may need to be reseeded.
> Creeping grasses like bermudagrass will eventually fill in. After treatment,
> water until the soil is thoroughly wet. Be sure to wash the coring implement
> before using it in healthy lawn areas.
>
> In general it is more effective to manage fairy rings in the home lawn with
> the cultural practices mentioned above than with a fungicide. Fungicides
> usually require multiple applications and proper timing over a long period
> of time.
>
> Where complete eradication is desired, remove the soil and sod to at least a
> depth of 1 foot and 18 inches beyond the outside edge of the ring. Refill
> the trench with fresh soil and reseed the area. Be careful not to spill any
> infested soil on adjacent healthy areas.
>
> Best Wishes,
>
> Liss
>
> www.budget101.com
Last time I checked, fairy ring and mushrooms were two different
things.
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