Ever wonder how your neighbor gets such a beautiful, thick, dark green lawn? It used to be the secret weapon for lawn professionals and golf courses. Now readily available to anyone, Iron can help grass turn deep green, especially during the hot summer months. It also has the added benefit of controlling moss!
There are basically two types of applied iron supplements broken down into two distinct categories. Organic and Synthetic.
Organic iron fertilizers contain organic sources of iron like milorganite and greensand, which break down more slowly. However, as the iron is naturally chelated, it gets absorbed by plants more quickly. Organic iron fertilizer won’t stain concrete or walkways, and consists of other nutrients which help reinforce the soil and lawn.
Synthetic Iron Fertilizers are manufactured, and are less expensive and faster-acting, but gets absorbed by grass more slowly. Synthetic iron can show results within days, so the benefit over organic iron is rapidity. The downside, however, is that it tends to stain concrete and walkways a rusty orange, and will turn a lawn gray if over-applied.
Grass requires iron to make chlorophyll, necessary for photosynthesis. If there is a deficiency of chlorophyll in young grass, it will appear yellowish green. This is referred to as chlorosis. Applying iron is a temporary solution. For more long-term results, the PH level (see below) would need to be corrected.
As iron is absorbed fairly rapidly on grass, the greening can start to fade once it has been mowed a few times. Homeowners can make the mistake of reapplying more iron too soon and too heavily, which, as absurd as it sounds, leads to an iron deficiency since it cannot be fully absorbed. Of course, factors such as environmental conditions and type of turf, determine how much iron is needed. If too much iron is applied, the grass can darken giving it a “black” hue. Too little iron and the grass will turn a “greenish-yellow.”
As cited in his article, “Iron Nutrition Improves Turf’s Mettle”, published in Grounds Maintenance Newsletter for Turfgrass Science, Dr. Jerry B. Sartain, Professor of Soil Fertility and Turfgrass Nutrition at the University of Florida, Gainesville, states:
“The role that soil pH plays in soil-iron availability is worth emphasizing. The marked effect pH has on the solubility of iron is well-illustrated by the fact that at pH 6.3, soluble iron exceeds 1,000 ppm. At pH 6.5, 352 ppm is available, at pH 7.0 just 35 ppm is available and a mere 3.5 ppm is available at pH 7.5. (Note the 10-fold difference in iron concentration for each 0.5-unit pH change.) Most turfgrass managers recognize that high soil pH limits iron availability, but the data above serve to emphasize the importance of relatively small changes in soil pH and their effects on iron. As you can see, increasing the soil pH by one unit from 6.5 to 7.5 results in a 100-fold change in soluble iron.”
As stated above, proper pH balance is extremely important when gauging the effect iron will have on lawn grass. It is important to get the soil tested to determine what the actual pH level is, and make a plan from there. Although at a lesser caliber than other critical nutrients, in the long-run the role iron plays is quite significant to the overall health of grass.
If you truly want a lush, green, healthy lawn, iron should be applied in late spring, when temperatures are between 60 and 70 degrees. Iron should never be applied if the temperature is 80 degrees or higher. This will ultimately stress the grass and discolor it.
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