As you drive around the neighborhood, it’s almost impossible not to see your neighbor’s yard, and how does yours compare to theirs?
The most common thing we homeowners look at is the color of the grass. After all, the prettier and greener the grass, the healthier the lawn, right?
So, if you don’t want to be green with envy, and want to nourish your own lawn, then you need to be looking for a reason.
We all wish in a perfect world that water and sunshine could do it all, but often, that is not the case.
In some cases – Our gardens may have to get a little help. If you think the grass is greener at your neighbor’s house, it may be because they are doing something you are not.
Ironite – What is it?
As the name suggests, Ironite is literally an iron supplement for grass. Using it on your lawn nourishes the lawn so that it turns a deep green color.
Ironite is very versatile, and works well in just about any type of soil, and even if you have areas of lawn with trees or shrubs.
Ironite – when applied to your lawn – provides the correct essential nutrient levels, while also decreasing the frequency that you have to water.
You can also use Ironite on all types of plants including vegetables and roses, it will give the foliage a healthy green color.
Iron is part of the photosynthesis process, which is how a plant turns energy from the sun into its food. Iron is a micronutrient necessary to produce chlorophyll – which is what gives plants their color!
As you have learned, Ironite has a high iron content, as it helps to speed up the natural iron part of the process, but there are different Ironite formulae that can also include nitrogen, potassium and/or manganese, which can be beneficial as well.
Ironite is generally available in a couple of forms:
- Granular Ironite
- Liquid Ironite
Let’s dive deeper into the best option for your applications.
Liquid Ironite for your lawn
Liquid Ironite is considered a superior fertilizer option for sandy and alkaline soil types.
This is because sandy and alkaline soils are well-draining (loose) and generally allow all lawn fertilizers poured on the surface to wash straight past the grassroots the moment it rains.
When you are using liquid Ironite, the grass blades can also absorb the Ironite for added fertilization benefit, and not simply rely on root absorption only.
Liquid Ironite also works better than other fertilizers products when you want to make a lawn repair (quick fix), as it usually works quicker since it does not take as long to be absorbed by the grassroots.
With that said, liquid Ironite will stain stonework and paving permanently, so take precautions and be very aware!
Granular Ironite for your lawn
Granular Ironite can be cast simply onto the soil.
After application, you water the lawn right away to help the granules adhere to the soil and work into the turf.
Granular Ironite is an excellent option if you have a traditional lawn without any soil problems or a lawn growing on clay soil.
You can also apply granular Ironite with another granular product such as a slow-release fertilizer and accomplish two things at once.
Granular Ironite is usually less expensive than liquid. It is simple to apply year-round and can be applied during any climate or weather conditions.
It is slower to release Ironite than liquid Ironite, but it can be a little more difficult to apply appropriately than liquid Ironite.
How much Ironite should you apply?
In the past, the best applying rate for Ironite was 1 pound per every 100 square feet of lawn.
Ironite (or ironite) has changed its recipe. Directions for granular Ironite now indicate to put down 1/3 of a pound per 100 square feet.
If you measure Ironite with a measuring cup prior to putting it in a spreader, ½ a cup of Ironite weighs approximately 1/3 of a pound.
If you have 1,000 square feet of lawn, that means you use 5 cups of Ironite total.
If you use a spreader, be sure to calibrate the spreader settings to ensure you are putting down the appropriate amount of Ironite evenly distributed across the lawn.
Avoiding hazards when applying Ironite
It’s good practice to protect yourself when applying Ironite, and make sure to apply Ironite according to the best steps to avoid burning the lawn.
We recommend following these steps:
- Wear protective clothing like gloves, a face mask and coveralls to keep safe and minimize toxicity due to the harmful ingredients present in Ironite.
- Once Ironite is spread evenly in the recommended quantity per square foot, be sure to finish watering the entire area.
- Be sure to sweep up all excess Ironite. When applying liquid Ironite PT, be sure not to water it or wash it off as it can stain paving and other surfaces permanently.
- Make sure all small children and pets are restricted from the lawn area while applying and immediately following the application of Ironite. Ironite contains mercury, and it can kill if it’s ingested in small children or pets.
When should you apply Ironite to your lawn?
The optimum situation is to treat a lawn when you can clearly see the plant is suffering from a nutrient deficiency.
That said, there is little harm in treating what appears to be a healthy lawn to make it healthier, lusher or greener.
If the grass is appearing a little on the yellow side, that could be a lack of chlorophyll and by providing a boost of iron with Ironite, it will encourage the production of chlorophyll, making it greener.
Seasons also play a role in a plant’s ability to absorb nutrients from the soil, and turf grass roots do not always have the ability to absorb the type of iron found in soil.
In Spring‐Absorbable iron is not always available, as cooler soil temperatures can suppress absorbability. Therefore, it is best to apply Ironite in the early spring.
Spring is also when most varieties of turf grass have their peak growing season.
When ironite is added, there will be sufficient chlorophyll synthesis, resulting in sufficient photosynthesis.
Ironite benefits
Versatile
Ironite is favored by lawn professionals; it works quickly to make lawns lush and easy to maintain.
Ironite is also a good generalized product for other lawn of your trees and shrubs.
The ingredients in Ironite also help to stabilize the soil’s pH.
Reduced Watering
In addition to the flexibility of Ironite, it also lowers the amount of watering your lawn needs.
This is because the grass (and plants) has the right mix of nutrients and therefore won’t need to absorb as much from the soil as they used to.
Diverse
The beauty and simplicity of Ironite is that it practically works on most soils without having to consult an expert to the type of soil you have.
Ironite’s formula was designed for most soils as it was designed cleverly.
It can also be used on soils under different climates and weather conditions as it is not highly effected by temperature or rain.
Nutrition
Ironite’s formula is thoughtfully balanced, with both slow-release nutrient sources as well as quick-release nutrients.
This way you avoid the soil getting scorched or overfed upon your first application.
As long as you apply per the instructions, you will not scorch or overfeed your soil due to too much of the available nitrogen (as is the case with other fertilizers).
Are there any drawbacks when using Ironite?
Ironite is an excellent product for feeding your lawn.
There’s no disputing that! However, there are a couple of drawbacks that we have already discussed.
Ironite can stain! Especially with liquid Ironite. If you have a brand new sidewalk or paving, it might be best to skip Ironite because you’re not going to want a permanent stain on your nice new sidewalk!
Nonetheless, that’s really the only drawback.
Are there alternatives to Ironite?
As we already know, Ironite has some of the best benefits for the overall health of your lawn.
However, there might be a time where you might want to consider an alternative. As a simple rule of thumb, no matter what the product, iron on a lawn is never a bad idea!
Another very popular lawn supplement is Dr. Iron. This product is a great option to consider instead of Ironite and, to add to it, does not stain concrete!
Plus, it also has a very similar percentage of iron at 22% (as opposed to Ironite’s 30%) and honestly works as well, if not better with some lawns. Dr. Iron also mixes well with products like Milogranite!
Is using Ironite worth the cost?
Using an iron supplement like Ironite or Dr. Iron on your lawn will make your grass greener (just be careful, you don’t want to stain your stonework!).
If your goal is to have a quality lawn, which all of your neighbors envy, spending the money to improve your lawn using Ironite is definitely worth it!
If money is a little tight, you can always apply Ironite for special occasions.
For example, if you are having a big party at your house and expect lots of guests, applying Ironite a week beforehand will certainly ensure that your lawn is looking its best!
Otherwise – If you are on a budget, summer would be the best time to apply Ironite if your grass is browning / if the grass is starting to turn yellow.
Applying Ironite and fertilizer together
As stated, you can apply fertilizer to your yard at the same time as applying Ironite.
Ironite is a slow-release fertilizer supplement so applying a fast-release nitrogen fertilizer at the same time a adds a great value.
This will allow the grass to experience quick nitrogen uptake with the faster nitrogen and then have the Ironite as a slow-release.
You can keep your lawn looking its best until the next time to fertilize.
Final Thoughts of Ironite for Lawns
Everyone wants a beautiful lawn.
There is a bit of a silent contest among neighbors with regard to keeping a green lawn.
If you want to get the neighbors green with envy over the color of your lawn, Ironite is the answer.
Instead of wondering if the grass is greener on the other side of the street, you will soon have neighbors coming to your house to ask for your secret!