Why Fairy Rings Appear After Heavy Rain and What to Do Next

Fairy rings have long fascinated storytellers and nature lovers alike. According to European folklore, these mysterious circles of mushrooms or lush green grass were believed to mark the spot where dancing fairies had gathered under moonlight. Tales warned against stepping into them, lest you be whisked away to the realm of the fae.

But while fairy rings spark whimsical thoughts, the truth lurking beneath your lawn is far less magical. These rings often signal an underlying lawn disease caused by fungi that thrive on decaying organic matter—particularly after prolonged wet periods or heavy rainfall. Whether you're a homeowner or managing a golf course putting greens, spotting fairy rings on lawns is usually a red flag for deeper turf issues.

What Does a Fairy Ring in Your Yard Mean?

A fairy ring is a naturally occurring circular pattern in turfgrass caused by certain species of fungi living in the soil. While charming in folklore, in real life, fairy ring fungi can disrupt the uniform appearance and health of your lawn—especially after heavy rain.

Fairy rings often bring with them a range of telltale symptoms. You may notice abnormal turf growth, where grass blades within the ring grow faster and appear darker green than the rest of the lawn. In other cases, the grass may become discolored or thin due to poor water infiltration or the byproducts of fungal activity. Wild mushrooms are another common sign, especially after periods of rain, sprouting in a circular pattern along the ring. Affected areas may also show resistance to watering, as the soil becomes hydrophobic—repelling moisture and preventing it from reaching the roots effectively.

Fairy Ring Symptoms

• Rings of dark green grass—due to increased nitrogen released by fungal activity

• Mushroom rings or arcs, especially after wet weather

• Dead or dry grass rings, often with healthy turf in the center

• Rings that can range from a few inches to several feet wide, sometimes expanding over time

If your lawn shows any of these signs, you're likely dealing with fairy ring disease, not the aftermath of enchanted dancing.

What Causes Fairy Rings in Your Lawn?

Fairy rings are the result of underground fungal growth, particularly in areas rich in decaying organic matter. The fungi involved in fairy ring development feed on materials like buried tree stumps, wood scraps, or dead roots. As the fungus consumes this material, it expands outward in a circular pattern, affecting the turf above.

• Fungal Growth: Various fungi, such as Marasmius vagus and Lepista species, thrive in soil rich with decomposing material, contributing to fairy rings.

• Heavy Rainfall: Excessive moisture from storms or wet seasons creates ideal conditions for fungal spread.

• Buried Debris: Old construction scraps, tree stumps, or forgotten root systems provide food for fairy ring fungi.

• Soil Conditions: Poor drainage, compacted soil, and thatch buildup can encourage fungal persistence.

These rings grow gradually as the fungus colonizes new ground, forming visible rings where the turf is either unusually lush or struggling.

Are Fairy Rings Good or Bad?

While the presence of fairy rings can occasionally lead to temporarily lush grass, they are generally a sign of trouble in a healthy lawn.

The Good (Sort Of)

• Some rings promote greener, faster-growing grass due to the natural nitrogen released by fungal metabolism.

• Occasionally, fairy rings will disappear naturally without intervention, especially Type III fairy rings (mushrooms only).

The Bad

• Can lead to dead or dry rings due to hydrophobic soils created by fungal byproducts

• Discolored grass and ring-shaped patches disrupt lawn aesthetics

• Fungi can attack grass directly, weakening the turf

• Highly visible on golf courses and home lawns, making them a concern for property owners

• A symptom of deeper issues, such as lawn disease, buried debris, or poor soil structure

While not always directly harmful at first, fairy rings are usually bad news. They indicate that your soil conditions aren't ideal, and they tend to worsen without proper management.

How Do I Get Rid of Fairy Rings in My Lawn?

Tackling fairy rings takes patience, persistence, and a little know-how.

Step 1: Diagnose the Type

• Type I: Grass dies or thins in ring patterns—most severe.

• Type II: Rings of lush, dark green grass.

• Type III: Only mushrooms appear, usually after rain.

Identifying the kind of fairy rings you have helps determine how aggressive your treatment should be.

Step 2: Aerate and Hydrate

Fairy ring fungi often lead to the development of hydrophobic, or water-repellent, soils that prevent moisture from reaching the grassroots—a key reason why affected areas appear dry or stressed. To combat this, start with core aeration, which helps break up compacted zones and allows water and nutrients to penetrate more effectively.

Routine aeration helps rehydrate these dry patches and improve overall soil structure, supporting healthier and more uniform turf growth. Tools like a soil needle or deep root feeder can be used to target problem areas in localized trouble spots, but regular core aeration remains the most effective long-term solution.

Step 3: Remove Organic Debris

Fungi feast on decaying matter. Remove their food source by:

• Digging up and removing old tree stumps, root systems, and any buried wood

• Avoiding replanting in areas without first clearing the debris

If you're renovating a lawn, make sure the area is free from fairy rings before planting. Using healthy, disease-free grass plugs can help establish strong, uniform growth.

Step 4: Dethatch the Lawn

Thatch buildup—a dense layer of dead grass, roots, and organic material—can create a favorable environment for fairy ring fungi. Dethatching in the spring or early summer helps break up this layer, allowing better movement of air, water, and fertilizer through the soil. This helps reduce fungal habitats while encouraging healthier turf overall. For more tips on rejuvenating your lawn after dethatching, check out our article, How to Restore Lawn After Dethatching.

Step 5: Remove Turf in Persistent Cases

If the fairy ring persists despite treatment, it may be necessary to remove a strip of sod extending 1-2 feet beyond the ring’s edge to remove the infected area completely.

• After removing the sod, loosen the soil and turn it over with a rake or tiller to thoroughly mix the infected soil with the surrounding healthy soil, which helps reduce fungal concentration.

• Next, soak the area deeply with water to rehydrate the soil and wash away any remaining fungal spores.

Once prepared, fill the bare spots with grass plugs like SodPods®, which establish quickly and restore turf density. For extensive damage, consider installing premium sod, such as Bethel Farms sod, to achieve faster recovery. While fungicides may temporarily suppress fairy ring fungi, they often prove ineffective long-term unless the underlying decaying organic matter is removed.

How to Restore Your Lawn After Fairy Rings

Once you've treated the cause of fairy rings, it's time to repair the damage and rebuild a healthier lawn.

Patch Bare Spots with SodPods® Grass Plugs

• SodPods® are hardy grass plugs with fully grown roots

• Ideal for spot-treating damaged areas and filling in ring-damaged patches

• Their faster growth and adaptability make them a more efficient option for lawn restoration than seed.

Use NutriPod™ for Precise Fertilization

• Using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer will help green up your grass and support recovery

• NutriPod™ is an excellent choice—it’s a slow-release grass fertilizer that improves soil health while reducing nutrient leaching. Use NutriPod™ during planting by placing one pod directly into the hole before inserting the grass plug. It has 17-1-10 NPK ratio that delivers balanced nutrition, feeding your plugs for up to 45 days and accelerating growth up to two times faster.

Final Thoughts

Fairy rings may conjure images of dancing fairies. But in reality, they signal that something is off beneath your lawn’s surface, especially after heavy rain. These fungal formations are a warning sign that your turf needs attention.

Addressing both the visible symptoms and the underlying causes can stop fairy rings from spreading and help your lawn recover faster. Solutions like SodPods® grass plugs and NutriPod™ fertilizer for grass can speed up lawn recovery and improve long-term health.

For a ring-free, resilient lawn, combine consistent maintenance with thoughtful restoration. Don’t let a magical-looking circle fool you—it’s time to reclaim your yard.

Visit the SodPods website to learn more and buy grass sod plugs that help your lawn fight back.