Fairy rings are a common and troublesome issue in lawns, particularly where soil structure is poor. A fairy ring is a naturally occurring circle of mushrooms that develops from a single fungal colony or mycelium. This mycelium consists of countless fine fungal threads. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the species most commonly involved is the fairy ring mushroom (Marasmius oreades).
As the fairy ring expands, its impact on the lawn can increase. The mycelium forms a dense network at a depth of approximately 20 to 50 cm, making it more difficult for water to penetrate. As a result, the grass dries out more quickly and root development is hindered.