As a lawn enthusiast you are investing considerable time, effort and money into achieving the perfect green lawn that ultimately enhances a property's aesthetics. One often overlooked yet remarkably effective secret to achieving this is the use of iron.
What is Iron and Why Does Your Lawn Need It?
Iron is a vital micronutrient for plant growth and development. Just as it is essential for human health iron plays a crucial role in chlorophyll production, a process central to photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is responsible for capturing sunlight and converting it into energy allowing plants to thrive. A deficiency in iron can lead to chlorosis which is a condition where leaves turn yellow due to a lack of chlorophyll.
What Are The Benefits of Iron Application for Your Lawn:
- Enhanced Photosynthesis: Iron supplementation boosts chlorophyll production enabling your lawn to absorb more sunlight and produce greater amounts of energy for growth.
- Rich Green Colour: Iron-rich lawns display a deeper, more vibrant green colour enhancing the visual appeal. You may have seen Daniel Hibbert's work on social media. He uses iron on his lawns to achieve the dark green colour.
- Stress Resistance: A well-fed lawn is better equipped to withstand various stressors, such as heat, drought and disease making iron a crucial component of a resilient lawn.
- Improved Nutrient Uptake: Adequate iron levels improve the plant's ability to absorb other essential nutrients further promoting strong growth.
- A Thicker Lawn- Iron encourages healthy growth leading to increased shoot and root development resulting in a thicker lawn.
Application Rates:
Before applying any iron supplement it's imperative to conduct a soil test to gauge the current iron levels and tailor your approach accordingly. Generally, iron supplements can be applied in either granular or liquid form.
Note: Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on the iron supplement packaging for precise application guidelines.
Too much iron on your lawn can be detrimental. It can drop your lawn pH almost immediately. This will make your lawn grass brown and interrupt the ability of the grass to take in other important micronutrients, like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The standard recommendation for a home lawn is 1 gram of iron sulphate per litre of water per square metre. This will offer the perfect greening effect to your lawn without any side effects like burnt or discoloured grass.
Have you applied too much? There are a few ways to combat iron toxicity. This includes applying lime, bicarbonates and zinc to your lawn. In addition, you can wash away excess iron and improve your lawn’s drainage.
When to apply iron
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After Winter Recovery: Applying iron in the early spring helps kick-start your lawn's recovery from the winter dormancy. This can encourage early green-up and improve the overall health of your grass.
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Autumn Application: An application of iron helps your lawn store nutrients for the winter months. It strengthens the grass and provides resilience during colder temperatures and potential stressors.
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Before Rain or Irrigation: If you're applying iron in a granular form it's a good idea to time the application before rain or irrigation. This helps the iron dissolve and reach the root zone effectively.
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Before or After Mowing: Applying iron either before or after mowing can be effective. Some experts suggest applying after mowing because the freshly cut grass allows for better contact between the iron and the soil. However, if your iron application is in liquid form, you might choose to apply it before mowing to allow it to penetrate the soil without being disturbed by the mower. Make sure you give it plenty of time to soak in.
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