Iron is a hot topic, but what actually is this Iron we speak of? Keeping it simple, here we go.

IRON

Iron is one of those products that everybody loves, but why? For those that are new to the page and haven’t experimented with Iron, let’s have a look at what the fuss is about.

You are at home watching sport and you fail to notice the score because all you see is the deep colour of that field or the rich green of that golf course. Amongst many other practices, you will find an application of Iron has been used to help get that deep rich green colour.

What is Iron used for?

Iron is no doubt an important nutrient and is one that is responsible for that so-called deep green that helps to give your lawn a more appealing look. Also known as Fe (as you may see attached to some labels) it is a vital factor in the creation of chlorophyll - the green cell within the plant.

Benefits of using Iron

Some of the benefits stretch a little further then just greening the plant. Did you know that Iron can assist your turf in resisting disease by hardening the plant? Did you know that Iron can act as a moss killer? Did you know that Iron can also help with the control of some broadleaf weeds, can help to minimise frost damage (to a degree) and can be applied in a granular form to help reduce your PH levels? As some parts of Australia go into dormancy (where plant is unable to uptake nutrients through its roots) and rely on absorbing energy through its leaf, Iron is also a great tool during winter months.

Iron forms

Iron can be found in many forms: granular, powder and liquid, with applications of the liquid fertiliser becoming more popular as quality product is more readily available.

Chelated forms of Iron have proven to be more effective but are more expensive than its cheaper buddy ferrous sulphate. The easiest to get and most available products contain sulphate, and the masses won’t argue with using products like Greenxtra; the results are mind blowing and you will leave your neighbour scratching their head.

Iron application

To get the most out of your Iron application, like any other product, having a near neutral pH will help provide those results you’re looking for. Ensure you irrigate a day prior and/or have moist soil to begin with. Applying Iron to a stressed plant can cause more harm then good and should never be used as a masking agent. Iron can be a brilliant tool to have in the shed, but it deserves to be treated with respect; if not, you will learn the hard way! Iron applied in the heat of the day will likely cause burn and going off label will only cause your lawn to blacken.

Iron is best applied to the leaf as a foliar spray as it becomes an easier source for the plant to absorb. This is great if you are suffering from deficiency. You know that yellowy green look? That’s telling you that you’re most lacking nitrogen or Iron (or both).

When applying Iron, here are a few things to consider:

• Don’t apply in the middle of the day: wait until the temps drop off. As we say, moist soil and good pH will contribute towards the best results.
• No need to water after: we are wanting the Iron to sit on the foliage, so it can be absorbed by the plant. Best to allow it to sit for 3 to 6 hours before any rainfall or irrigation.
• Even application is one of the biggest things to consider. Iron can show you where you applied too heavy and where you didn’t.
• If using granular with Iron, it always pays to blow the granules off your paths and driveways before watering in.
• If using liquid Iron, using flat fan nozzles can make your life easier to stay away from those hard edges because not everyone likes rust stain left behind.
• Regular applications are better than a single heavy dose.
• Iron is a product that you won’t have to worry what turf type you have so there’s a big bonus for all.
• Now for the big one: if you didn’t know, Iron can and will stain, so use with caution.
  
  

How often should Iron be applied?

Iron can be applied monthly or at half rates fortnightly no worries for that all-round deep green look. Those using Plant Growth Regulators get the result lasting longer as they are removing less leaf during mowing. This is because the plant grows laterally without the flushes of growth. For those who aren’t, the effects are shortened as your plant is wanting to grow more vertical therefore you are removing more of the leaf that has the Iron absorbed.

One thing to note Iron: does not transfer so the leaf that is treated will be the only leaf to benefit from the application. Don’t expect the Iron to transfer to the new leaf that shoots after the application.

How long will Iron last?

Well, how long is a piece of string? The reason we say this is because every property is different. Some lawns will react quicker and hold on, some will take a little longer to green up and lose it quicker. Remember, Iron is a supplement not some magic potion that will make your lawn look like the 18^th at Augusta. It works best as an additive with a good structured program.

So, if you’re looking for a great supplement to your lawns diet, you can’t go past liquid Iron GreenXtra and its benefits as a foliar application when applied as per label and with caution.

Stay tuned to our blog and Facebook Page for more hints and tips to having the best lawn on the street!