Liquid Iron

What it does

Couch grass responds well to iron. It deepens the green colour without the growth surge nitrogen causes. A spray of liquid iron can bring a pale court to deep green within 48 to 72 hours. That makes it a practical colour boost before a tournament.

What it doesn't do

Iron is a colour treatment, not a stress or drought treatment. It changes the leaf colour, not the plant's water or nutrient level. A deep green court doesn't mean the grass is any less stressed underneath, so don't use iron as a substitute for watering or the right fertiliser timing.

Handle it carefully

Iron can permanently stain paths, pavers and equipment if it's over-applied or spilled. Mix and apply it away from anything you don't want stained. Use a backpack sprayer, hose-end injector or irrigation injection system, and rinse the equipment afterwards.

Where to get it

Unlike the professional wetting agents, generic liquid iron is genuinely retail. Bunnings stocks Manutec Iron Sulphate and Seasol's Organic Iron hose-on product. Check current pricing in-store or online, as it moves. For a sports-turf-specific formulation, Nuturf and other professional turf suppliers carry ferrous sulphate concentrates at rates suited to a whole court.

See also

• Getting the Lawn Through a Hot, Dry Summer