If lawn grasses are weakened as a result of iron deficiency, moss species such as the sparse wrinkled brother have an easy time. Within a short time, the previously velvety green carpet of grass is completely matted. If you now use iron fertilizer to combat moss, you only superficially solve the problem. Read here how to effectively treat moss-covered lawns and when iron fertilizer is actually obligatory.

Iron deficiency is extremely rarely the reason for moss in the lawn

Lawns only appear to suffer from iron deficiency

Normal garden soil contains an abundance of iron. However, if moss is aggressively spreading in the lawn while the noble grasses are turning yellow, these symptoms undoubtedly indicate an iron deficiency. This paradox is due to the fact that grassroots are denied access to the rich iron reserves in the soil. Before you spread iron fertilizer with poisonous ferrous sulfate, the following triggers for the iron blockade should be eliminated:

  • Low pH - Solution: Lime the lawn to a pH between 6.0 and 7.0
  • Compaction and waterlogging - solution: Scarify, aerate and sand the green area
  • Lack of light - solution: Sow a shady lawn or plant a hard-wearing ground cover such as star moss or ivy as a lawn substitute

If you can identify one or more of these factors as the cause of the moss-covered lawn, you can safely do without using iron fertilizer. By improving the general conditions for the lawn, all the important nutrients for the roots become available again. This results in strengthened lawn grasses that are no longer so quickly defeated by a moss invasion.

Instructions for the application of iron fertilizer

Were you able to determine in the process of elimination that the explained causes for your moss-covered lawn do not apply? Then you are dealing with a rare, actual iron deficiency in the soil. In this case, the specialist trade has special iron fertilizers for lawns ready. When using, please note that these fertilizers contain toxic ferrous sulfate. How to use the preparation properly:

  • The best time is in March/April when the soil temperature exceeds 10 degrees Celsius
  • Mow the lawn to a blade height of 3 or 4 cm
  • Put on protective clothing and a breathing mask
  • Dissolve iron fertilizer in water and apply with a watering can or pressure sprayer

In liquid form, you achieve the most effective effect with iron fertilizer, since 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 itself with 10 ml for every liter of water. After 5 to 10 days the moss will have died and can be combed out with a rake.

tips

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 prior to application. Do not step on cobblestones after walking over the manured lawn, as the footprints are almost impossible to remove.

Category:

Vegetable garden