Elena,
We have had, what I would call, a comfortable amount of rain. Not worried that it was too much yet enough that I did not have to worry about the gardens drying out.
Every April I spread Milorganite. I applied in early May also. I do this mainly to keep the deer and rabbits away.
Our winter was better than last year. We had better snow coverage to protect the plants.
I hear what you say: ("I don't understand how it can bother some fans in a clump and not others.) I have some pretty large clumps and there may be just one fan with SS.
The only difference is we put down a different mulch last year. Maybe something in there made the DL's more susceptible. It has a different type of mushroom than I've seen here before. An ugly flesh colored, kinda ripple looking, ugly thing. Reminded me of a deformed pig's ear. Yuck.
I definitely do agree that no one knows exactly what causes SS. It's that "inquiring minds want to know" attitude of mine that drives me crazy every spring.
