Do you find the grass greener on the other side? Well, then your lawn needs an improvement.
You can have two adjacent gardens under the same environmental conditions and care. But there are chances for noticeable differences in the greenery as the nutrients in the soil might differ.
So do not worry if your lawn displays paleness or yellowish tinge as ironite fertilizers can solve your lawn issues.
Ironite fertilizers are versatile lawn fertilizers that benefit the growth of grasses in more than one way. You will witness a green, healthy, and refreshed lawn with its use.
But, before you opt for ironite fertilizers, there are certain aspects you must consider. Hence, let us understand ironite fertilizers in and out and see if it works out for your lawn.
What is Ironite Fertilizer?
Ironite fertilizers, as the name suggests, are lawn fertilizers based on iron, acting as a supplement to enhance greenery. It arises from the mining by-products of the Iron King mine located in Arizona.
The mechanism behind its effectiveness in grass growth lies in the photosynthesis process. Ironite fertilizers aid in the process and bring change.
Chlorophyll, a vital component of plants to support photosynthesis and maintain their green color, is enhanced by some proteins. Enzymes arising from ironite fertilizers synthesize these proteins. Hence, you get an evergreen look on your lawn.
Besides, the pale yellow color of grasses might result from the lack of essential nutrients. Ironite fertilizers compensate for the deficiency and provide vital nutrients, such as iron, potash, nitrogen, and manganese.
While iron is present in enough quantities, other nutrients might be present in trace quantities. The vital nutrients needed by your lawn may not be available in other fertilizers. So ironite may prove to be a perfect fit.
What is Iron Chlorosis in Plants?
The reason behind the pale yellow color of your lawn might not solely be the deficiency of nutrients. It could be due to the unavailability of iron in the soil for planting.
Iron chlorosis is the unavailability of iron for plants, especially in alkaline soils. It is because alkaline soil binds the iron available and makes it deficient in the plant.
Ironite fertilizers act as a temporary fix for iron chlorosis. It provides the unavailable iron, thus making the lawns greener.
But, the effect may last only for a season or two, and it is not a permanent cure for iron deficiency. The efficiency of ironite fertilizers also depends on the type you use.
While the water-soluble formulas last for less than one season, the granular ones last for two to three years. The reason behind this is that plants rapidly use up water-soluble formulas. Hence, they need frequent application of liquid ironite.
We will discuss the types and forms of ironite fertilizers in the proceeding sections.
What are the Different Types of Ironite Fertilizers?
You can come across two ironite fertilizers, namely organic and synthetic ironite fertilizers. It depends on the source and applications.
Organic ironite fertilizers arise from organic sources, such as greensand and milorganite. Unlike other fertilizers, organic ironite fertilizers mix gradually into the soil. So, they work for long periods. But, the plants readily absorb the iron obtained from these sources.
The benefit of using organic ironite is that it does not stain concrete surfaces. Additionally, it has no deteriorating effects in cases of over application. So you need not worry about your lawn turning grey as it is a slow-releasing fertilizer.
Synthetic ironite, on the other hand, is the manufactured form of ironite fertilizers. Unlike organic ironite, it is a fast-releasing fertilizer that works instantly and makes your lawn greener.
However, with its fast-releasing properties, there are chances of your garden turning grey if over-applied. Hence, you can choose the type of ironite fertilizer according to your requirements.
What are the Forms of Ironite Fertilizers?
Ironite fertilizers come in two forms, granular and liquid ironite. Granule forms of ironite fertilizer come in the form of granules. You can spray it using a broadcast spreader.
However, after the granular spray, you must spray water immediately on your lawn to help the fertilizer adhere to the soil. Doing this will initiate the reaction. Granular ironite works best on clay or loamy soil.
Liquid ironite, which comes in liquid form, is the perfect fit for your lawn if you want immediate impact. It gets readily absorbed by grass blades, leading to a faster reaction and immediate effect.
You can spray liquid ironite using a sprayer tank or a mere spray container and get effective results. Unlike granular ironite, liquid formula ironite best suits alkaline sandy soil. Hence, your requirement decides which form of ironite fertilizer you should buy.
How is Ironite Fertilizer Better than Your Regular Fertilizer?
Ironite fertilizer is different from regular N-P-K fertilizers because of its unique characteristics. Other fertilizers work towards enhancing the green color of your lawn. But, ironite fertilizers eradicate the root cause of the pale color of your garden and eventually make it green.
You get a greener lawn with regular fertilizers but truckloads of mowing duties. General fertilizers add a lot of nitrogen that encourages the speedy growth of grasses, and you need to mow your lawn often.
However, ironite fertilizers work differently. It makes your lawn greener and keeps the growth of grasses in check, so you do not experience fast growth.
The pale yellow color may not always result from iron deficiency. Hence, you must ensure it does through a soil test and then uses ironite fertilizers.
Ironite fertilizers also provide vital nutrients to the soil, which might not be available in other fertilizers. Hence, it is how ironite is different from other regular fertilizers.
Composition of Ironite Fertilizers
You will find nitrogen, urea nitrogen, soluble potash, sulfur, iron, and calcium in ironite fertilizers. These are the vital nutrients available for the soil to aid in plant growth and green lawns.
How to Apply Ironite for Better Lawns?
Before applying ironite for a better look at your garden or lawn, you must ensure they need it. Moreover, note that the pale color is not due to a lack of appropriate water and nutrients.
Hence, if the other two purposes go well with your lawn, and you still face a pale garden, ironite may be the solution. The exponential growth phase is the right time to apply ironite for better results.
Before undergoing the process, you need to decide the form of ironite to use in your lawn. Hence, you can decide which one to use based on the description earlier.
Do not forget to measure your lawn or garden area before applying ironite, and wear protective boots and gloves.
The instructions vary with the type of ironite. Liquid ironite requires one ounce of liquid per 100 square feet. But it would help if you sprayed granular ironite ⅓ of a pound per 100 square feet.
While you can spray the liquid ironite from a gardening bucket or a spray bottle, you can sprinkle the granular ironite or spread it with your hands. You must sweep off ironite from concrete surfaces as it might affect their look.
After spraying ironite, it is advisable to keep pets and people away from the lawn as it might prove toxic if ingested or touched. The results are prominent in a few days of application.
Pros and Cons of Ironite Fertilizers
You must understand that everything comes with pros and cons. The same is correct for ironite fertilizers. But, with proper measures, you can outwit the disadvantages and get effective results.
Pros:
Here are the advantages of using ironite fertilizers.
- Ironite fertilizers adapt to indoor and outdoor plants like vegetables, flowers, trees, etc. Hence, you can use these fertilizers for all and not just limit them to grasses in your lawn.
- If you apply ironite fertilizers, you will not have to water your lawn frequently. Hence, it saves a lot of water. It is due to the balance of nutrients ironite maintains in the soil.
- Ironite fertilizers come in different forms for different types of soil. So you are not restricted to any soil type for using ironite fertilizers.
- It does not burn your lawn if applied as recommended. It is because ironite does not overfeed the soil with nitrogen and utilizes other micronutrients instead.
Cons:
Here are some disadvantages of ironite fertilizers.
- It might prove toxic and dangerous for pets and children due to its lead and arsenic content in small quantities.
- Ironite stains concrete surfaces if not swept immediately after spraying.
- Gardeners with organic choices might not prefer ironite fertilizers.
- It might grey your lawn if applied beyond the recommended amount.
Conclusion
Ironite fertilizers are the best solution for pale yellow lawns due to iron deficiency. But, it is not a permanent solution for iron deficiencies and acts as a booster rather than a primary fertilizer.
Hence, you too can get greener lawns with the recommended usage of ironite fertilizers and enjoy an evergreen garden.