If lawn grasses are weakened due to iron deficiency, moss species such as the Sparriger Wrinkled Brother have an easy time of it. Within a short time, the previously velvety green carpet of grass was completely matted. Anyone who now uses iron fertilizer to combat moss only superficially solves the problem. Read here how you can effectively treat mossy lawns and when iron fertilizer is actually mandatory.
How does iron fertilizer work against moss in the lawn?
Iron fertilizer helps against moss in the lawn by eliminating iron deficiency, which weakens the grass and promotes moss. Application: Mow the lawn, dissolve iron fertilizer in water, apply with a watering can or pressure sprayer. After 5-10 days the moss will die and can be removed.
Lawn only appears to suffer from iron deficiency
The element iron is contained in abundance in normal garden soil. If moss spreads aggressively in the lawn while the noble grasses turn yellow, these symptoms undoubtedly indicate an iron deficiency. This paradox is due to the fact that grass roots are denied access to the rich iron reserves in the soil. Before you spread iron fertilizer with toxic iron II sulfate, the following triggers for iron blockage should be eliminated:
- Ph value too low - Solution: Lime the lawn to a pH value between 6.0 and 7.0
- Compaction and waterlogging – solution: Scarify, aerate and sand the green area
- Lack of light - solution: sow shaded lawns or plant sturdy ground cover as a lawn replacement, such as star moss or ivy
If you can identify one or more of these factors as the cause of the mossy lawn, you can safely avoid using iron fertilizer. By improving the conditions for the lawn, all important nutrients become available to the roots again. This results in strengthened lawn grasses that are no longer so easily defeated by a moss invasion.
Instructions for applying iron fertilizer
Were you able to determine during the elimination process that the reasons explained do not apply to your mossy lawn? Then you are dealing with a rare, actual iron deficiency in the soil. In this case, specialist retailers have special iron fertilizer for lawns. When using, please note that these fertilizers contain toxic iron II sulfate. How to use the product professionally:
- Best time is in March/April when the ground temperature exceeds 10 degrees Celsius
- Mow the lawn to a blade height of 3 or 4 cm
- Put on protective clothing and breathing mask
- Dissolve iron fertilizer in water and apply with a watering can or pressure sprayer
You can achieve the most effective effect with iron fertilizer in liquid form, as the molecules reach the inside of the plant via the leaves. For the watering can, dissolve 5 ml of iron fertilizer per liter of water. In the pressure sprayer, a 1 percent concentration has proven effective: 10 ml for every liter of water. After 5 to 10 days the moss has died and can be combed out with a rake.
Tip
Toxic iron fertilizer not only pollutes the environment, but also leaves ugly stains on paved surfaces. Therefore, protect adjacent stone paths with a foil cover before use. Do not step on paving stones after walking over the fertilized lawn as the footprints will be difficult to remove.
