skip to main content

Organic Lawn Care Lawn Care

Iron supplements for the yard

5 years ago

Does anyone know if the iron in an iron supplement from Walmart or any pharmacy would be beneficial for turf grass? I was thinking about purchasing some and then dissolving it in water so I could spray it all over, but it’s hard to find out if that iron would benefit the turf grass. I have a variety of fescues, rye, and bluegrass if that matters.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

kimmq
5 years ago
Are you sure your grass needs an Iron supplement? Does a soil test indicate that or does the grass just look a bit anemic? There are numerous nutrient deficiencies that can mimic what might appear to be an Iron deficiency and soil pH is one.

Before spending money, time, and energy on something that may not be needed have a soil test done.
Jim W
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you for responding. I was just curious about whether or not it would work like ironite it chelated iron.
Related Discussions
The 9-iron ninja attacked my yard
Q
Comments (8)
I will try to help you out here as best I can. Your question is a bit confusing but I think I have it sorted out. To the Poa question it is too late to get to the heart of the problem preventing it from germinating, so premergence is out for that but still should be considered for what is coming. As for the divots, just use sand (coarse builders or sharp sand) to fill the holes. I do not suggest seed because there is none to match 419. Cosmetically you can get one of the powdered dyes to mix with the sand like golf courses use. Now here is where you lost me. Why cant you take the grass down to an inch or less? Is it because you let it get too high and your reel mower cannot take it down with an even cut? Or is it because the grade is to lumpy/bumpy and uneven? If it is because of your grass being too high, sand is not going to fix it. To fix it you start right now assuming all chance of frost has passed. If you want to maintain at say 1-inch, you need to scalp it down to 1/2 inch now and rake up all the debris. It will look like he!! for a couple of weeks, but that is how you fix it. If it is because the grade suks will talk later. Cannot fix that right now.
...See More
Iron Supplement
Q
Comments (5)
I should think an iron deficiency quite rare unless you are growing in a artificial medium i.e. not soil. As ronalawn82 implied it is more likely an iron availability problem rather than an iron deficiency problem. One way this is corrected is with a "chelate" as suggested. In any event I cannot imagine how iron supplements for animals like acquarium food or human vitamines would work. These might indeed work fine. I just can't visualise the chemical mechanisms BTW, what are your symptoms. Are you seeing chlorosis? If so this could be caused by poor drainage, damaged roots, magnesium or zinc deficiencies or other things.
...See More
How much iron supplement?
Q
Comments (1)
Yes
...See More
Iron Supplements, Anyone?
Q
Comments (20)
Iron. Here's something I've had experience with recently. There's so many things so many people do NOT know about iron. For instance: - Yes, cast iron pans give the food iron. But some things detract from the body absorbing the iron so it's equally important to not prevent the body from using what you're giving it, whether it's a supplement or from food or food preparation. - Eggs contain phosvitin and that inhibits the absorption of iron. So do other vitamins. So if you take iron supplements do not take them at the same time as other, such as a multi-vitamin. - Other items inhibit iron absorption: Calcium (so watch your milk, cheese and similar intake), tea, coffee, whole grains, excess fiber... and more. Your diet is important to the effectiveness of medications and supplements. - Vitamin C, however, HELPS the body absorb iron. So that's something that's good to take with the iron supplement. - Many iron supplements will cause your stool to turn black. Blood in the intestines can also, among other things. So know the difference. It can be quite a surprise if you're not aware of it. And when I first saw this after the blood-in-stool issues from before, it's a slap in the face waker-upper. (My GF and sister were about to call 911! LOL) - Medications can work with each other or against each other. DO YOUR RESEARCH! Doctors don't know everything, nor do they tell you everything.
...See More
Tom
5 years ago
Ironite makes a liquid product called- 'Ironite plus' .......its available at most garden centers, or on-line.
Jim W
Original Author
5 years ago
Ironite is okay but I’m curious about the topic of the post specifically. Iron supplements from any pharmacy section could me a more cost effective way to add iron to the grass.
User
5 years ago
Most iron supplements are pharmaceutical-grade iron sulfate, the same as you can get by purchasing fertilizer grade iron sulfate (cheaper). As long as you grind them finely enough and dissolve them in the water, they'll work. I'd recommend adding a good non-ionic surfactant to help it stick.

They'll be pricey as heck compared to fert-grade stuff (usually with large amounts of iron oxide contaminates), but they'll work.
reeljake
5 years ago
Welcome back morpheus!!!! I was just thinking the same thing, ironite has to be cheaper than pharma right?
z t
5 years ago
Check out mbferts. They have chelated iron that's 13% iron and it's much cheaper and in powder form. I'll be buying that now instead these liquid iron supplements that only 3-6% iron.
User
5 years ago
Pure ferrous sulfate (up to 30% iron in monohydrate form, about 15% in heptahydrate) is fine. Chelation is great for soil applications, but for spray, the leaf surface is already acidic and the spray is acidic, so chelation is not necessary.

Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate and ferrous sulfate monohydrate will both be far cheaper than any chelated form.
Jim W
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you everyone for the help. I’m going to a bit more research.
gappsxr
5 years ago
Iron as a micronutrient has beneficial property's to all plants but its mostly notible one is it turning grass green for a short period of time maybe a week or two I think it's kind of a wast of money.

Related Stories

FLOWERS AND PLANTS This Low-Growing Succulent Brings Green to Dry Yards

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

The stems of Euphorbia resinifera add an interesting texture to arid gardens and container plantings

CURB APPEAL 7 Ways to Create a Neighborly Front Yard

By June Scott Design

Foster community spirit by setting up your front porch, paths and yard for social interaction

BUDGET DECORATING 14 Ways to Make More Money at a Yard Sale — and Have Fun Too

By Laura Gaskill

Maximize profits and have a ball selling your old stuff, with these tips to help you plan, advertise and style your yard sale effectively

PLANTING IDEAS 9 Beautiful Shady Yards Overflow With Lush Plantings

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Find out how to mix foliage colors and textures to brighten dark areas and create dynamic shade plantings

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Yard Seals the Deal for an Eichler Home

By Lisa Hallett Taylor

Expansive indoor-outdoor living sold a couple on this midcentury California home, now brimming with vintage finds collected over time

MOST POPULAR 25 Ideas to Perk Up Your Side Yard

By Becky Harris

Turn this often overlooked area into an enticing and useful outdoor space

MOST POPULAR 5 Ways to Hide That Big Air Conditioner in Your Yard

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Don’t sweat that boxy A/C unit. Here’s how to place it out of sight and out of mind

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Why You Should Consider a Landscape Screen for Your Yard

By Marianne Lipanovich

Find out how this versatile outdoor element can serve as both a design feature and an outdoor problem-solver

CURB APPEAL 7 Great Structures for an Attractive Front Yard

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Create a tasteful tableau for all to admire with a fountain, gate, statue or other eye-catcher

BEFORE AND AFTERS See 6 Yards Transformed by Losing Their Lawns

By Annie Thornton

Wondering whether a turf lawn is the best use of your outdoor space? These homeowners did, and they found creative alternatives

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting