I have crop circles

[cometcatcher]

It seems the aliens payed me a visit last night but I missed them! Two circles down the back yard maybe 10 feet across each.

The coincidence of the ride on mower's turning circle being about the same diameter has nothing to do with it. It wuz the Martians. :D :ship1:

Oops forgot the pictures.

[[1ponders]]

Assuming you're not having a lend of us :) I have a question for you. Have you had any rain recently Kevin? If so then keep an eye on them over the next couple of days. Bet you get some toadstools/mushrooms popping up.

[cometcatcher]

Yep had some rain yesterday and today. Will keep an eye out for fungus.

So how does this happen? Picked up spores on the mower?

[[1ponders]]

If its what I think it is, when fungi grow many that live in turf areas start as a spot then spread out in a circle. Once they reach their full size (in your case about 10 feet) they set reproductive organs at the end of the hyphae (fungi are composed of filaments called hyphae). These organs remain dormant until the required amount of rain falls. They then start to produce fruiting bodies (mushrooms/toadstools) and release stored Nitrates into the soil, which causes your grass to go green. This is only one of the possible processes depending on the species of fungi. But most of the ones found in this situation produce the same effect. Its the precurser to what is commonly know as "Fairy Rings"

[[1ponders]]

BTW I gather you don't catch your grass in a catcher. You just leave it lying to break down. Most of these fungi are saprophytes (live on decomposing organing matter, ie grass clippings). Some of the fruiting bodies are edible many others aren't.

[cometcatcher]

Thanks very much for that Paul. You know, I could really use you when doing my gardening, but then I suppose I wouldn't learn by my mistakes.

My father was a bushman and gardener self taught but at the time he was alive I was more interested in other things.