Grass for High Iron Content in Soil

Iron Content in Soil

• Soils that are high in iron content generally are a deep red. This type of soil can be found, for example, in Montana, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Georgia. Water washes over iron-rich rocks found in these areas and then deposits the iron particles in the soil as it flows over the ground.

Iron and Grass Plants

• When plants don't receive sufficient iron, they begin to demonstrate symptoms of iron chlorosis. This condition causes yellowing of leaves, poor growth and lack of vigor. Plants can fade to almost white and begin to die in patches. Testing your soil will help determine the amount of iron in the soil, and whether the pH is at the right level to allow the grass plants to utilize the mineral. Your local agricultural extension service can help with soil testing and advice on the best treatments to correct pH problems.

Iron Utilization

• Even if sufficient iron is available in the soil, plants may be prevented from absorbing the mineral if the soil is pH-neutral or high in pH (alkaline). Plants growing in acidic soils (those that have a low pH value) can generally utilize the iron without difficulty. Adjusting soil pH to utilize the iron content is done with the addition of certain garden materials. Sulfur is added to alkaline soils to lower the pH so that plants can absorb iron. Aluminum sulfate is another compound that acidifies soil, as does ammonium sulfate and other such fertilizers.

Grass Types and Iron

• Most types of lawn grass require iron to stay healthy and green. For example, Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, zoysia, St. Augustine, bermudagrass and centipedegrass require sufficient amounts of iron to keep their green color. If enough iron is present, then as long as the other soil conditions assist the uptake of iron into plant tissues, your grass will keep its lush color, and adding more iron in the form of iron sulfate or iron chelate isn't necessary.