Ironite is a lawn supplement that has a high concentration of Ironite which helps in making your lawn green as it aids the photosynthesis process while Lime is a soil amendment that is made from ground limestone rock, which by nature contains magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate. The main goal of Ironite is to make your lawn greener while the primary goal of lime is to improve the soil pH.
To find out more about which one is needed most, read on.
Which One Is Better?
Ironite is better than Lime since it provides more to the grass or plants. A dark green lawn is achieved, less water is required by ironite, can work with all types of soils, the grass is free from being burnt and also provides essential nutrients to the soil like potassium and phosphorus, while Lime helps in adjusting the pH of the soil to a neutral level and also enables the ironite to work well in the soil.
What is Ironite and Lime
1.01 Ironite review
- What is Ironite Fertilizer?
Ironite is a lawn supplement that has a high concentration of Ironite which helps in making your lawn green as it aids the photosynthesis process. It manages to do this as it produced enzymes that produce chlorophyll by synthesizing proteins.
A change in color to pale yellow is a sign that your grass is in lacks essential nutrients. What many people don’t know is that Ironite is an incomplete fertilizer. In most cases, Ironite can be used as a supplement to your lawn together with the fertilizer.
Ironite has the formula 1-0-1 which means that there is a low concentration of potassium and nitrogen. The grass on your lawn grows fast as a result of the water-soluble iron which is in high concentration in the ironite.
Although iron is in high concentration, Ironite also contains helpful elements like nitrogen, potassium, and manganese in small quantities.
- Types of Ironite Fertilizers
Organic iron fertilizers: This type of Ironite comes from organic sources. The iron is quickly absorbed although it is slow-releasing over a long period. The organic sources in question are milorganite and greensand. Organic Ironite does not stain any concrete.
Synthetic iron fertilizers: these are the type that is fast-releasing and your lawn can turn grey if this type is applied in excess. They produce very fast and instant results since they are fast-releasing.
- Forms of Ironite
Granular ironite: granules are the form of this irony and they can be sprayed directly on the grass with the aid of a broadcast spreader. The grass has to be sprayed just after spraying the granular ironite for maximum results.
Liquid ironite: this exists in a liquid form and the spraying is done is using a sprayer tank or a spray container. Liquid ironite aids the grass blades in absorbing the supplement and a faster result is encouraged. Liquid ironite will be suitable if you wish for an immediate impact. Alkaline Sandy soil works best with liquid ironite.
- When to use Ironite
Regular fertilizer can be applied together with Ironite. It is highly recommended that Ironite must be applied 4 times a year while it is combined with your regular fertilizer but see to it that it must not be used more than 10 times per year.
- Why Use Ironite for Lawns Instead of Regular Fertilizer?
There must be a reason why people prefer Ironite over regular N-P-K fertilizers. The reason is that Ironite does a better job at greening your lawn than how traditional fertilizers would do it. Ironite seeks to eradicate the root cause of the pale color. A test is required to see if the yellow color of the grass is a result of iron deficiency.
The rate of growth is of much emphasis in this case. A high nitrogen addition will lead to the fast growth of the grass which implies frequent mowing of the grass but Ironite also encourages green lawns but the growth is slow which implies less mowing of the grass.
1.02 Lime
- What is lime?
Lime is a soil amendment that is made from ground limestone rock, which by nature contains magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate. When you apply lime to the soil, the soil’s pH is increased, which in turn makes the soil less acidic and more alkaline. Although lime contains magnesium and calcium, which help in plant growth, it can not be used as an alternative to fertilizer. The main role of lime is to change the pH of the soil and the soil’s acidity, which helps in the improvement of the availability of plant nutrients.
- Why should lime be applied?
Lime is needed on lawns when the low soil pH starts inhibiting the availability of nutrients. The preference in terms of the soil pH differs between regional lawn grasses but a soil pH between 5.8 and 7.2 is preferred but most grasses. Grasses during the warm season tolerate slightly lower pH but cool-season grasses prefer higher pH. Balance in overly acidic soil is restored by lime bringing the plant back to optimal growing levels. Lime will be needed when the grass is growing poorly and when there is lawn moss.
- How to know when the lawn needs lime
Lawn grass struggles when the soil becomes too acidic and plants that are favored by such conditions tend to flourish. For instance, when there is lawn moss, it means the soil pH is too low for the growth of strong and healthy grass. An increase in lawn weeds, insect pests, and diseases are some of the other warning signs. When the pH of the soil is too high, the grasses find difficulties in responding to quality lawn fertilizers.
- The importance of testing the pH of the soil
An accurate measure of the pH of your soil is obtained from these tests. The results will determine the amount of lime that needs to be applied to the soil. The lawn grasses can be harmed when lime is applied when it is not needed.
2. Benefits of Ironite vs. benefits of Lime
- Benefits of Using Ironite for Lawns
It requires less water which will greatly help in cutting the water bill costs.
Ironite can work with all types of soils
Other plants can also make use of Ironite. Such plants include trees and shrubs
The grass will become greener while growing at a slow pace which will mean fewer jobs in mowing the grass.
Ironite works at a faster rate. In just a matter of weeks, the appearance and feel of your lawn will be greatly improved and this does not even need much water.
- Benefits of using Lime for lawns
Raising the pH level: your soil’s acidity will be neutralized by the calcium carbonate found in the lime, in the case that the pH is below the ideal pH zone. A soil pH of 7.0 is highly recommended.
Lime Adds Necessary Nutrients: Toxicities will be removed, the soil will be cleansed and the ground will be provided with essential nutrients. Calcium and magnesium will be added to the soil. The nutrients work in preserving the color of the lawn and its lushness.
Lime Nourishes Essential Bacteria: when the lime is used in combination with compost, the soil will be nourished with beneficial bacteria.
3. Drawbacks to Ironite and drawbacks to Lime
- Drawbacks of Using Ironite for Lawns
When there is contact between Ironite and concrete, the concrete ends up being stained permanently and walkways can also be stained.
There is a high risk of damage being caused to the lawns and might results in a grayish tone since it is easy to be applied in excess.
It might be safe in terms of home use, but it can be a source of metal leakage, more especially lead and arsenic.
- Drawbacks of using Lime for Lawns
When applied in excess or when not needed, it might negatively affect the growth of the plants.
It can alter the pH of the soil negatively if the soil’s pH was not tested first.
4. Which organic fertilizer is better, Ironite or Lime, and why
By now, you must have a clue on which one is better. Here are a few tips to widen your knowledge of these two.
For A Greener Lawn
Ironite is used when you want your lawn to be dark green, and thick due to the presence of Iron. Lime can not help in this much.
For Improved Soil Quality
Lime helps to improve the pH of the soil, making it less acidic which helps regular fertilizers work well on the soil.
For a Shortage of Nutrients
Ironite contains nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus in minute quantities. Lime also contains calcium and magnesium.
5. Where can you buy either one of these in your area
Go to any agro dealer shops in your area or you can purchase them online.
FAQ About Ironite and Lime
Can I use Ironite and lime together?
Yes they can be used together since Lime’s primary goal is to increase the pH of the soil and this also helps the Ironite to work well in the soil.
How to use Ironite fertilizer?
Choose the form of Ironite that needs to be used. Soil that has a high pH will work well with liquid Ironite. This is to make sure that the blades absorb the roots more efficiently as the roots find difficulties in absorbing Ironite when the soil is alkaline. Loamy or clay soils work well with granular Ironite.
This has to be done with protective gear on. Use one ounce of spray per 100 square feet. Once the spraying has been done, deep watering must be done and action must be allowed to take place.
Conclusion
When it comes to organic lawn care, Ironite is the best choice. Ironite will work in making your lawn greener and the growth of the grass will occur at a slow rate. On the other hand, Lime will work in altering the pH of the soil and also enriching the soil with essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium.
