An effective means of supplying iron deficient plants with supplemental iron is by spraying fertilizer on the plant leaves. An inexpensive and commonly used material for this purpose is ferrous sulfate (FeSO4. 2H2O). Mix 1 to 2 oz of ferrous sulfate in 1 gallon of water.
One way is to add iron sulfate or iron oxide to the soil directly. Another way is to add compost rich in organic matter, such as manure or composted plant material, to the soil. Finally, you can use chemicals such as chelates or ferrous sulfate to supplement the mineral content of the soil.
Besides pH, other soil factors can limit plants ability to take up iron. Soils with high clay content, often referred to as “heavy”, may have low iron availability. These soils usually have less organic matter, which helps plants get iron into their systems. Adding compost to these soils can help correct the problem.
However, if you'd like to make your own inexpensive version, you can dissolve 2 fluid ounces (59 ml) of ferrous sulfate in 3 US gal (11 L) of water. This will create a 0.5% solution, which is safe to apply to plants. Pour it into a pump sprayer, like the kind you'd use to spray liquid fertilizer or insecticide.
Richlawn created Iron-Rich as an organic based lawn and garden treatment with 10% iron content available in both chelated and elemental forms. That is the highest iron supplemented product on the market. Iron-Rich feeds the soil which in turn feeds the plant with the organic fertilizer DPW (Dehydrated Poultry Waste).
Natural chelates can be found in soil organic matter. Practices that increase levels of soil organic matter, such as adding manure to soil, can help maintain iron in a plant-available state. An effective means of supplying iron deficient plants with supplemental iron is by spraying fertilizer on the plant leaves.
Good plant sources of iron include lentils, chickpeas, beans, tofu, cashew nuts, chia seeds, ground linseed, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, kale, dried apricots and figs, raisins, quinoa and fortified breakfast cereal. There are lots of factors that affect the amount of iron your body can absorb from your diet.
Regularly place composted organic matter as mulch on top of the roots of established plants. This eventually (slowly) remedies iron deficiency as organic matter decays and soil becomes more acidic. Mulching provides many benefits in addition to increasing nutrient availability.
Aside from the anecdotal evidence about human benefits, Epsom salt does seem to help plants. Generations of gardeners have said it helps their plants grow bushier, produce more flowers and have better color. It's also said to help seeds germinate and repel slugs and other garden pests.
The beneficial profile of blood meal by a providing nitrogen source together with the capability to keep the Fe bound to porphyrin organic compounds makes it a good candidate to be used as Fe fertilizer in organic farming.
Iron can be lost from plants' roots with excessive watering, long periods of rainfall and soil saturation, but the most common cause of iron deficiency is a high (or alkaline) soil pH. Iron becomes soluble in water, and therefore available to plants, when the soil pH is acidic, or of a pH of 6 or lower.
The primary symptom of iron deficiency is interveinal chlorosis, the development of a yellow leaf with a network of dark green veins. In severe cases, the entire leaf turns yellow or white and the outer edges may scorch and turn brown as the plant cells die.
Overwatering and soil compaction are often the cause of iron deficiency.
Yellowing of the areas between the veins (interveinal chlorosis) is usually indicative of manganese, iron or magnesium deficiency. Iron deficiency affects the youngest leaves first, whereas the symptoms of manganese and magnesium deficiency tend to start in the older leaves.
Bonemeal also includes essential micronutrients such as magnesium, zinc, and iron that boost plant health and benefit soil's microbial growth. It comes in both powdered or granular formulas and will not burn your plants if you happen to overuse it.
Prep garden soil by sprinkling up to one cup of Ultra Epsom Salt per 100 square feet, and then work it into the soil before seeding or planting. This helps the seeds to germinate and start with a strong, healthy growth.
Baking soda on plants causes no apparent harm and may help prevent the bloom of fungal spores in some cases. It is most effective on fruits and vegetables off the vine or stem, but regular applications during the spring can minimize diseases such as powdery mildew and other foliar diseases.
Eggshell Benefits
As it happens, eggshells can provide all the calcium carbonate the soil needs, which helps to lower the soil's pH level and make it more alkaline as opposed to acidic. This is incredibly beneficial for plant growth because many plants prefer to grow in soil that has low acidity.
Choose iron-rich foods
Beans. Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach. Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots. Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas.
Blackstrap molasses, also known as pregnancy tea (1 tablespoon per day in a cup of hot water), is a good source of iron, B vitamins, and minerals.
Spinach, Swiss chard, and lamb's lettuce are some vegetables that contain high amounts of iron.
Five of the most well-known and effective iron-rich herbs worth exploring include yellow dock, dandelion, stinging nettle, alfalfa, and parsley.
So, how do you add iron to garden soil? You can add chelated iron powder or blood meal directly to the soil to add iron. You can also add fertilizer or your own compost, as long as the iron content is high enough. Another option is to add chelated iron or iron sulfate in liquid form by spraying the leaves of the plant.