Grass Got the Summertime Blues?

 

You’ve been watering your grass all summer long, but your lawn may still be looking a little faded or yellow after months of East Texas heat.

Before reaching for another heavy application of fertilizer, it’s important to figure out what your lawn actually needs. If iron is lacking or unavailable to the grass, an iron-containing lawn product may help restore a deeper green color without encouraging the same flush of growth associated with a high-nitrogen fertilizer.

 

 
 

Why Not Just Add More Fertilizer?

 

A lawn that looks pale during the summer doesn’t automatically need more nitrogen. Heat stress, drought, irrigation problems, insects, disease, soil conditions, and nutrient deficiencies can all affect the color and appearance of your turf.

Applying unnecessary fertilizer during periods of significant heat or drought stress can put additional stress on the lawn and may cause fertilizer burn if it isn’t applied correctly.

Diagnose the problem first and choose a product based on what your lawn actually needs.

 
 

The Importance of Iron

 

Iron is an essential micronutrient that plants need for healthy chlorophyll formation and other important plant processes. Chlorophyll is what gives healthy foliage its green color and plays a critical role in photosynthesis.

One common symptom of iron deficiency is chlorosis, where leaves appear yellow while the veins may remain greener. However, yellow or pale grass can have several different causes, so appearance alone doesn’t always confirm an iron deficiency.

 

 
 

How to Apply

 

Granular iron-containing lawn products can typically be applied with a broadcast or drop spreader. Always use the coverage rate and spreader settings listed on the current product label, since formulations and application rates can change over time.

Apply the product evenly to avoid streaking or uneven results, and follow all directions regarding watering before or after application.

Be especially careful around sidewalks, driveways, patios, and other hard surfaces. Iron-containing products can leave rust-colored stains, so sweep stray granules back onto the lawn before watering.

 
 

A Quick Tip

 

It may be tempting to combine an iron product with another granular lawn treatment in the same spreader, but don’t mix lawn-care products unless both labels specifically allow it and their application rates and spreader settings are compatible.

Applying products separately according to their individual labels is often the easiest way to ensure each one is distributed at the proper rate.

 
 

Give Your Summer Lawn a Little Help

 

If your lawn has lost some of its rich green color during the summer, don’t automatically assume it needs another dose of fertilizer. Check your watering, look for signs of pests or disease, and consider whether a nutrient issue may be contributing to the problem.

Not sure what your lawn needs? Stop by The Home & Garden Center and let us help you choose the right lawn-care product for your East Texas turf!