Your Lawn Needs This MOST!

 

 

Is Your Grass Looking Not-So-Green?

 

If your lawn isn’t looking quite as green as you’d like, it’s tempting to immediately reach for fertilizer. But yellow or pale grass doesn’t always mean your lawn needs more nitrogen—or even more fertilizer.

Turf color can be affected by several things, including watering, drainage, soil conditions, disease, root problems, nutrient availability, and the natural growing cycle of your particular grass.

One nutrient that can affect color is iron. Iron is an essential micronutrient, meaning plants need it in relatively small amounts, but it still plays an important role in healthy growth.

 
 

The Importance of Iron

 

Iron is involved in the processes plants use to produce chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for their green color and an important part of photosynthesis.

When iron isn’t sufficiently available to the plant, you may see interveinal chlorosis—yellowing of the leaf tissue while the veins remain greener. However, yellow grass alone isn’t enough to diagnose an iron deficiency.

Soil pH can also affect iron availability. In alkaline soils, iron may be present in the soil but become less available for plant uptake.

 
 

Does Your Lawn Need Iron?

 

Before adding iron or fertilizer, take a look at the overall condition of your lawn. More isn’t always better, and applying nutrients your lawn doesn’t need won’t correct problems caused by improper watering, disease, insects, compaction, poor drainage, or other stresses.

A soil test can help you better understand your soil’s pH and nutrient needs and take some of the guesswork out of lawn care.

Iron-containing lawn products can sometimes help improve green color when iron availability is actually part of the problem, but they should be used according to the needs of your turf and the directions on the particular product.

 
 

Applying an Iron Product

 

Iron products are available in different formulations, and application rates can vary significantly. Rather than relying on a universal amount per 1,000 square feet, always follow the current product label for application rates, timing, watering instructions, and spreader settings.

Avoid overapplication. Too much iron can discolor or damage turf, and iron-containing products can also stain concrete, sidewalks, driveways, patios, and other hard surfaces. Sweep stray granules off these areas before watering.

And remember—iron isn’t a substitute for a complete lawn-care program. The right fertilizer, watering, mowing, and other care will depend on your grass species, soil, weather, and the time of year.