The first one is simple, if you’re just wanting to add some extra nutrients, then I’d recommend simply using a Winter fertiliser that contains iron. For example our Specialist Winter Fertiliser does just that. Ferrous or iron sulfate (also spelled sulphate) is a constituent of garden and lawn moss killers and some fertilisers. It is exactly the same chemical compound regardless of how it is sold or used. They may vary slightly in concentration and be mixed with other compounds but apart from that they are the same. Ferrous or Iron Sulphate as Moss Killer At DIY Gardening, we always try to create content that our readers will find helpful and where possible, we use photos to prove we’ve used the products or techniques we recommend.

Some gardeners may put a moss killer down like Iron sulphate before scarifying. It depends on just how mossy or bouncy your lawn is! I tend not to use it and save such treatments only for the worst mossy lawn offenders. Moss in the lawn is not just unsightly. It also steals nutrients, leaving your turf grass undernourished. Using sulphate at a rate of more than 5 grams per square metre can scorch the grass. If this occurs then the grass will usually recover if the lawn is watered well for the next 1-2 weeks. We review the content yearly to ensure it’s still correct and relevant and any products we recommend are still on sale.

Iron Sulphate for Hardening & Disease Resistance

As mentioned previously, rainfall helps the dissolved granules work their way down to the grass roots more effectively. This means that, if you can apply just before rain is forecast, it’ll deliver the best results. As you might expect, your chances of applying at the perfect time – between two rainstorms, when it’s cool and there’s plenty of moisture already in the soil – are much higher in autumn through to spring. In summer, this might be a little more awkward if you don’t have the means of regularly watering your lawn. When Not to Apply Iron Sulphate Always read the instructions, but most iron-based garden products aren’t toxic or harmful to animals. Essentially, you’re applying natural minerals to your lawn, so it’s not like you’re adding harsh chemicals. This enables the manufacturer to advertise the product as a moss killer and give directions for its use to achieve moss control. The concentrations are high enough to kill moss and low enough to cause the grass little or no damage. You will find these commonly sold as: Moss Killer For children there is a small risk of irritation and an even smaller risk of ingesting sulphate. This should definitely be guarded against as a precaution and if possible do keep kids off treated areas for 4 days. Having said that, if the sulphate is applied and well watered into the ground after application the risks are greatly reduced. There is no reason to panic or regard sulphate as a very dangerous substance. It is just advised to be careful about letting kids onto the grass, if you can prevent them doing so after applying sulphate then this is the safest approach. Even while sulphate is regarded as an irritant, I personally often apply it by hand and it does not cause me the slightest problem. This might not be the case for everyone however. One more thing, be careful when applying lawn sand +Fe in hot weather. It improves drainage, so if there’s not much water coming, you may want to hold off using it. When to apply it during an overseed project

The author creates the content based on their knowledge and experience of the subject. In this case, Daniel Woodley came up with this guide as he has previous experience with iron sulphate and alternative products. Above 500 grams per 100 square metres (over 5g per sq metre)– Repeat applications are likely to over-acidify the soil and may turn the grass yellow or brown. Iron sulphate (aka ferrous sulphate) is often referred to as a “trace element” (meaning it contains a minimal amount of metal). It is added to general fertiliser mixes, defined by their NPK values. You can use iron sulphate four times a year on your lawn. That is, once every season. Make sure you use it in moderation for the best results.I’ve always applied 12% iron sulphate at a rate of 4-5g per square metre for moss control (diluted with water). Most turf grasses grow best in soils with a pH between 6 and 7. Too much iron application can drop your lawn pH almost immediately.

Iron can leave ugly orange stains (think rust stains) on your concrete patios and other hardscape features of your landscape, so this is something that you will want to keep in mind. The best times to treat moss are in spring and autumn. As most moss killers also contain lawn fertilisers, this coincides with the right times to fertilise your lawn. In spring, treat the lawn in the latter half of March and lightly rake out the dead moss in early April. In autumn, apply the moss killer early in the season and then aerate the lawn, ready for winter. PreventionProduct is variously Known by several different names as Ferrous sulphate, Ferrous sulfate, Iron sulfate, Iron sulphate, Sulphate of iron. In short, when using iron sulphate, we recommend that you wear gloves when mixing and applying, keep children and pets off treated areas for at least 4 days, use care to ensure only grass and lawn areas are sprayed, and always water treated areas well to ensure sulphate does not damage grass. Don’t scarify newly laid turf or a newly seeded lawn. Let them establish for at least a year or so first Compacted soil restricts the proper formation of deep roots. Grass with shallow roots has a lower chance of surviving and gives way to a wider moss infestation with its strong roots. Aerate your lawn at the proper times in the growing season. Safety

Iron boosts photosynthesis, producing a lawn deep in emerald green and kills off the moss that suffocates the grass’s roots. Tip: Be careful not to apply too much moss killer. It can burn or even kill your lawn grass. Step 4 – Rake away dead moss

Iron Sulphate

I’ll also recommend how you can use all three products together to achieve ultimate moss control. A bowl of soluble powder usually applied at 4g per m2 When and how often to apply iron sulphate to your lawn What’s more, if you’ve just done an overseed, then you’ll need to wait around 6-8 weeks before using it on the same area. How to apply iron sulphate in its different forms If you have ever used Lawn Sand you may have experienced severe lawn damage as well. Unless kept dry, applied in the right conditions, evenly and at the correct dosage you can defoliate your lawn in days! I rarely use Lawn Sand because of this so unless you have the experience and confidence I suggest you give Lawn Sand a miss. Ferrous or Iron Sulphate as Fertiliser In a perfect world, the new grass and the breakdown of this thatch can be in perfect harmony. It’s usually fungi that break down thatch, but if your grass outgrows this process, usually after a feed, then thatch can build up, causing a detrimental effect on your lawn.