Part of a fairy ring in our garden. The difference in grass growth between where the mushrooms grew last year vs this year is especially visible this year.
this post was submitted on 01 May 2026
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Nature and Gardening
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Here we name it Witches' Circle of Mushrooms, nice to see, but indicates underlying nutrient deficiencies of the lawn, and poorly permeable soil
Do you have any info on that (nutrient deficiency)? Is that maybe a localized/regional thing?
I've never heard that these indicate a nutrient deficiency. But also, I do know that there are different types of ring (based on fugal species involved). Generally speaking in my part of the world, you can often tell where a ring of mushrooms will erupt ahead of time, because the grass, clover, and other plants in that area will be far more lush and luxurious.
.We had a witches' circle in the garden, which became larger every year, but more irregular.
By spreading 2 times with seaweed lime annually and 1 time fertilization with mixed cow manure granules, it has now disappeared for years
Clover is N deficiency indicator, too.
In mushroom cultivation, it is known that fruiting happens when myceluim growth is not possible anymore. Usually it means there is no space to expand. The rings certainly indicate that it is not geometry constrain that triggered fruiting, but something non-spatial - nutrient deficiency, toxic shock, temperature change, etc. There are many possible causes, some of them perfectly healthy - some late autamn fruiters almost always form rings.
Well, that fits. There is a lot of clover in our garden, too. In most parts of the garden more than grass.
Specifically, that there is not enough nitrogen for the mushrooms/mycelium, which require more nitrogen than grass does. This is less of a problem in areas where wildlife lives as their droppings provide nitrogen content to the soil.
Basically, it's a lawn problem. Need more than just barren grass for healthy mycelium beneath the soil surface.
Yeah, in German it's also called Hexenring (witches' circle). Both are pretty cool names.
Interesting, I didn't know that. But spot on, the soil here is very clay-y. I'm not very bothered about the nutrient deficiencies, whatever grows, grows.
It is called a heksenkring here in Flemish Belgium.
Everyone does what they want with the layout of their garden, unlike in America where the HOA makes your life difficult.