Fresh and healthy-looking grass is very important for the garden to look pleasant. Gardeners use different kinds of products to enhance the growth, appearance, and health of the garden grass. Lawn sand is one such conventional product extensively used to get lush green and well-maintained lawn grass.
Lawn Sand
It is a combination of ammonium and ferrous sulfates combined with sand. The basic function of the sand is to remove the mosses and to increase the immunity of the grass, by acting as a fertilizer. The ingredients of the lawn sand stick to the leaf surface of the mosses and weeds. In this way, the leaf structure is disturbed and the unwanted plants are eventually killed. In this article, we will discuss some important facts about sand.
Composition of Lawn Sand
The constituents of lawn sand are as under:
- Ammonium Sulphate.
- Iron Sulphate.
- Sand.
Ammonium Sulphate, Iron Sulphate, and Sand are combined in the ratio 1:3:10.
However, the ratio of sand is sometimes different and depends upon the manufacturers. It may be up to 20 parts in some brands.
Ammonium Sulphate:
The sulfate of Ammonia is a nitrogen-based chemical compound. Its functions are as under;
- It provides the grass with Nitrogen. While nitrogen acts as a fertilizer for the plants.
- It helps the grass to recover after the removal of moss. Thus, helps the grass to attain its green and fresher look soon after the mosses and weeds are dead.
Iron Sulphate:
The Sulphate of Iron or ferrous sulfate is the main constituent of the Lawn Sand.
It performs many important functions which are mentioned below:
- Killing the moss in the garden. This is the basic function.
- Increasing the immunity of the grass.
- Killing and suppressing the growth of the earthworms.
- Killing the weeds in the lawn without harming the grass.
Sand:
This is used as the carrier for the active materials i.e. the iron and ammonia.
Season of Lawn Sand
Lawn sand is ideally used in the late spring. You can also use it in summers and up to early autumns to combat the moss issue. The ideal conditions for using the lawn sand are;
- The soil should be slightly moist.
- The grass should be dry.
Ordinary Lawn sand does not work perfectly in cool weather. The reason behind this that the soil will not be able to absorb the nitrogen from ammonia until the weather is warm. So, the grass will not be fertilized and quick recovery of fresh grass after weed removal will not be possible. Although, the ferrous sulfate will attack and kill the moss, added benefits of fertilizer will not be received from the lawn sand.
Once the grass starts growing in the spring, you can use the lawn sand to get the perfect results. As the growth of grass is an indication that the soil is warm enough to attain the nitrogen from the ammonia.
When the moss is removed from the garden, it starts giving a somewhat ragged appearance. So, experts advise waiting for the early signs of grass growth before applying the lawn sand.
Results of Lawn Sand
The lawn sand will start showing its results in 3 to 4 days. However, complete removal will be done in around 20 days. Furthermore, the ammonium sulfate provides the fertilizing effects to enhance the growth of grass. Thus, maintaining the green and healthy appearance of the lawn.
Usage Technique
Using the Lawn Sand for the garden is no joke. You need to follow proper techniques and specific aftercare instructions to complete the process successfully.
- An estimate about the ideal quantity of the lawn sand is around 140 grams per square meter of the grass. Although this quantity varies with different features like the nature of the product and the weather.
- The best method to spread the sand is with the help of a spreader.
- The spreading speed and intensity of the spreader should be pre-checked to avoid spraying unsuitable quantities. You can calculate the spreading ratio by a simple process. Spray plain soil on a small measured hard-standing area. Now calculate the weight of the sand in the area. This will give you the weight of the product sprayed by the spreader. You also need to fix the aperture and width of the spreader to evenly spread the mixture and maintain a suitable application rate.
- Keep the calculations of turning and distance required for walking in your mind while adjusting the spreader. Avoid overlapping when you turn with the sprayer, as it will spray the lawn sand twice and disturb the calculated rate. You can also use the grass mower to get an estimate of the walking distance pathway.
- Additionally, you should select a non-windy day for the spray process to avoid disturbance from the air. Always select a dry and non-windy day for the spraying process.
Toxicity of The Sand:
Land soil is somewhat toxic for skin and ingestion.
- You should always use protective measures like gloves and masks while spraying.
- Children and pets should not be allowed to play on the soil for some time after the spray of Lawn Sand.
- Never allow your pots or utensils to be contaminated with the product. Similarly, it is better to use clean pots and mixers for the Lawn Sand to get good results.
Watering after the Lawn Sand
The lawn sand must completely seep in before you allow people to walk on the grass. Thus, you need to water the growing area lightly in the initial 2days (48 hours). Be careful not to overwater the soil as it will wash away the sprayed product. However, you can also select a day before the forecasted rain to arrange for the seeping process. If nature provides the lawn with suitable rain, you should skip providing extra water.
Overdosing of Lawn Sand
Overdose of the sand may burn the upper layer of the grass. So, always avoid overdosing as you don’t want to destroy your garden.
Furthermore, spraying on extra dry or hot days will also harm the grass.
Thus, it is always important to select suitable weather conditions and spray according to the directions of the manufacturer. Also, you can get advice from some experienced gardeners. This will help you to avoid destroying your grass by inappropriate usage of the lawn sand.
Domestically Made Lawn Sand
You can also make the Lawn soil at your home by getting the ingredients and combining them in the desired ratio. The sand will be available at the builder’s merchant. While the sulfates will be available at the garden center and the suppliers of horticulture. Make sure to use dry sand. Additionally, you should keep the mixture dry to avoid wastage.
Domestic Spring Sand:
The ratio of 1:3:13 of ammonium sulfate, iron sulfate, and sand is suitable for the spring mixture. However, you can decrease the ratio of phosphate by 2 in case you are using the Rock variety of phosphate.
Domestic Summer Sand:
If you intend to use the sand in the summer season, it is better to increase the ratio of sand. 25:7:3 is a good ratio suitable for the summer season.
The Old Fashioned Sand:
Lawn sand can be considered an old-fashioned product. However, it is still beneficial as a greening tonic and a moss/weed killer.
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Conclusion
Fresh and healthy green grass is an essential part of a beautiful lawn. People use different kinds of fertilizers and pesticides to get weed-free and rich lawn grass. Lawn Sand is a perfect product to get healthy and moss-free garden grass. It has some great benefits like killing the weeds and the moss while fertilizing and enhancing the immunity of the grass. Also, it kills the pests like earthworms and helps the grass in recovery after the moss removal.
Lawn Sand is a mixture of ammonium sulfate, iron sulfate in the sand with an estimated ratio of 1:3:10. This ratio is variable according to different brands. The sand is usually sprayed evenly across the growing area by using a spreader and specific technique. Overdosing of sand can burn the upper layer of the grass. So, it is always better to follow the usage instructions or to get an expert’s advice for getting fruitful results.
