We’ve all heard of regular lawn fertilizers, but what about lawn supplements and organic feeds? Milorganite and Ironite are two names that regularly pop up when looking for an alternative to common fertilizers. These two manufacturers claim that their products can have a lot of beneficial impacts on your lawn. So which is better, Ironite or Milorganite, and which is the best fit for your lawn’s needs? Well, let’s take a closer look and see what all the fuss is about.
Ironite vs Milorganite (The Short Answer)
Ironite is a lawn supplement and contains 1-0-0 NPK with a 20% iron content. Milorganite is an organic slow release fertilizer and contains 6-4-0 NPK with a 2.5% iron content. Because Ironite has a high iron content, it works great to strengthen the grass and improve leaf color without boosting growth. On the other hand, Milorganite uses a combination of higher nitrogen content and a healthy portion of iron that improves color and increases growth.
Ironite and Milorganite (An Overview)
Ground conditions, sunshine, and watering are sometimes not enough to get the lush, green lawn we’re all trying hard to achieve. Therefore, most of us turn to fertilizers and supplements as go-to solutions when we need that extra bit of help to get the perfect lawn. So, here’s what you need to know when comparing Ironite vs Milorganite.
| Ironite 1-0-0 NPK | Milorganite 6-4-0 NPK |
|---|---|
| Lawn Supplement | Lawn Fertilizer |
| Fast Release Content 100% | Slow Release Content 65% of Nitrogen |
| Iron Content 20% | Iron Content 2.5% |
| Nitrogen Content 1% | Nitrogen Content 6% |
| Phosphorus Content 0% | Phosphorus Content 4% |
| Potassium Content 1% | Potassium Content 0% |
| Iron Supplement to Boost Leaf Color | Fertilizer to Boost Root, Color & Growth |
| Results in 2-3 Days | Result 1-2 Weeks |
Now that you see how Ironite vs Milorganite compare, let’s take a look at the individual items and see what they actually mean.
What is a Fertilizer?
Lawn fertilizers are either natural or artificial combinations of the three main chemical elements: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). In addition to the three main elements that grass needs to improve growth and productivity, fertilizer contains trace elements such as zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu), which are all vital for healthy grass.
What is a Supplement?
Supplements are products that contain additional elements, such as Ironite’s 20% iron (Fe), in higher quantities than fertilizers to directly tackle soil nutrient deficiency.
What is Slow Release?
Slow release fertilizers use coatings, such as plastic resin or sulfur-based polymer, that break down over extended periods due to soil temperature, moisture, microorganisms, surface area and pH. This means that the lawn is being fed nutrients continuously for as long as the coating lasts. Usually, a fertilizer slow release coating will take 6-8 weeks to completely dissolve.
What is Fast Release?
Fast release fertilizers and supplements do not use any form of coating. As a result, chemicals within the products are immediately available to the grass. This is ideal if the lawn needs immediate nutrients, but on the downside, fast release fertilizers and supplements do not last very long.
What does Iron Do for Lawn Grasses?
Grass uses iron to help produce chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is what makes the green color in the grass blades. In addition, grass uses chlorophyll to harness sunlight, produce sugar, and create enzymes and hormones within the grass cells. So, iron is a key part of keeping lawn grass healthy.
What Does Nitrogen Do?
Nitrogen, like iron, promotes the production of chlorophyll during photosynthesis and encourages healthy blade growth. Nitrogen will give your lawn a serious growth spurt if used efficiently, and is a vital part of the lawn’s feeding program.
What Does Phosphorus Do?
Phosphorus is a primary nutrient that transfers energy in lawn grasses. It increases grass energy and enables the plant to grow more efficiently by promoting a strong, healthy root system.
So, adding phosphorus to your lawn will enable it to transfer nutrients from the soil into the plants. Lack of a healthy root system results in a lawn that struggles in every way. Also, phosphorus is vital if you have a new lawn trying to establish roots.
What Does Potassium Do?
Potassium is a key ingredient in tackling stress, drought, and disease. Environmental conditions, such as hot summer days and cold winter freezes, pose serious risks to grasses that don’t have a line of defense. Outside intruders such as lawn disease and fungus will test the strength of any lawn. As a result, lawns with sufficient potassium levels have high stress and boosted immunity resistance to tackle adverse conditions and intruders.
Ironite vs Milorganite (A Comparison)
Now that you understand all the scientific jargon, let’s look at how to use each product and what results to expect.
Method of Application
Both Ironite and Milorganite are granular feeds that can be spread in both wheel and hand spreaders. Depending on the application rate, most spreaders use a universal scale to calibrate dispersions depending on the application rate. So, check the directions on the package’s label and set your spreader accordingly.
Speed of Nutrient Feeding
Ironite is a fast release feed that is absorbed by your lawn as soon as you spread it on. It takes approximately a day or two for the nutrients to make their way through the soil, into the root, and into the grass blades. On the other hand, Milorganite slowly releases and the coating usually takes a week or two to dissolve before the nutrients can make their way into the grass and take effect.
The Visible Results
You’ll quickly see a difference in the color of the grass blades if you choose to use Ironite. Due to the composition of Ironite, the iron (Fe) will directly tackle the issue of yellow blades and leave the rest of the grass pretty much alone.
Milorganite has a more general effect, and after a few weeks, you’ll notice the change in blade color plus a boost in growth. The nitrogen in Milorganite makes lawn grass grow and fill in much quicker than you’ll be used to, so if you decide to go this route, expect to get the mower out pretty soon.
How Often to Apply
Milorganite recommends that you spread their product 4 times a year. This is for both cold and warm-season grasses. Ironite also recommends that you use their product at least 4 times a year, but not exceeding ten applications.
Which is Better for Your Lawn?
Now it’s time for the big question; which is better, Ironite or Milorganite? Well, if you want to know with 100% confidence which to use, then I’d strongly recommend testing the soil beneath your lawn. Soil test results give accurate readings of the soil’s nutrient levels and eliminate any guesswork. After all, underfeeding lawn grass is as troublesome as overfeeding.
However, if you don’t have the option to have a soil test carried out, you will have to inspect your yard and figure out what it needs.
In my experience, I look for two different lawn conditions. 1. Healthy, full lawn but lacking color. 2. Weak, struggling lawn and lacking color.
For a lawn just lacking color, I would steer towards Ironite and its 20% iron (Fe) content. For a lawn that is struggling in a bunch of areas, then I’d opt for the Milorganite. But like I said before, a soil test will eliminate the guesswork, plus you might need something different to Ironite and Milorganite.
Should You Use Both Ironite & Milorganite Together?
Technically you could use them both at the same time, but there is little point. Each product shares similar elements but focuses on different issues. Using both products at the same time won’t actually produce better results. The best way to achieve a lush, green lawn is to understand the problem and use the right product.
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