Using Iron Sulphate on the Lawn
Soluble Iron for maximum 'green'
*The above Lawn Care Products are available in the Lawnsmith Shop and discussed below:
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I love soluble iron. Also known as iron sulphate, ferrous sulphate and sulphate of iron, it gives a wonderful green up without extra mowing. It also helps keep the grass healthy throughout the cooler months.
Iron Sulphate for a Green Up
As a ‘green-up’ for turf a typical Granular Soluble Iron* containing 20% iron would be mixed with water at the rate of 50 to 150 grams to treat 100 square metres of lawn. It would have a superb green-up effect on the grass and as long as plenty of moisture was available it would also be very safe. This means you can use iron sulphate at these concentrations pretty much any time of year as long as good soil moisture is available and there is no strong sun or heat.
Iron Sulphate for Hardening & Disease Resistance
Increase the concentration to 150 to 200 grams and not only will it have a good green-up effect but it will also start to ‘harden’ the turf making it more resistant to disease and fungal attack. This is a very common practice on sports turf in late autumn and winter.
At this concentration blackening of the moss will start to occur and unless conditions are cool with ground moisture available it may cause some slight but temporary damage to the grass as well. I suggest a certain amount of care be taken at these higher rates and only consider applying between September and April when plenty of moisture is available and there is no likelihood of strong sunshine.
Iron Sulphate for Blackening Moss
Were you to do a repeat application (double dose) at the turf hardening rate for major ‘turf hardening’ not only will it green the grass and harden the turf but you will severely blacken moss. It will do some pretty severe darkening of your grass as well if the conditions are anything other than wet and cool!
Should you want to double dose the lawn and are doing this for the first time I suggest you do your second dose a week or so after the first. This way you can assess the success of the first application and decide the merits and strength of a second dose.
Mixing Iron Sulphate
Iron sulphate dissolves quite readily. As you will generally be mixing in the cooler months I suggest adding a little warm water to speed the dissolving process. Once mixed use it within a day or so as the iron will start to oxidise thereby losing its efficacy. It won’t work very well either!!
If you're using a watering can to apply to the lawn use a Weedkiller Sprinkle Bar* for even application. As with all soluble products (like salt) it can be difficult to dissolve the last grain, therefore, I suggest when mixing your solution, mix in a bucket, let it settle for a minute, then pour it into your watering can leaving a cupful of dregs in the bottom of the bucket. This will prevent clogging of the holes in the sprinkle bar.
For application procedures see Soluble Iron Application
