Raw Iron filings (forum)

M Nash starts with ...
An old Italian gardener told me that fine raw iron filings of the machine shop floor is good for the garden.
Is this the case? The lovely has just brought back a bucket of it.

Time: 22nd August 2012 11:09pm

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Nick T says...
That's true M Nash, the best way to use them is to leave them to rust in a bucket of water then use that water on the garden (espeially useful for any plants with yellowing leaves due to an iron deficiency) :)

Time: 23rd August 2012 7:21am

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gus says...
somewhere else on the forum people were talking about hammering a nail into the tree to increase the iron intake. Have not tried it yet

Time: 24th August 2012 1:58pm

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About the Author gus
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GardeningAustraliaWannabee says...
Complete nonsense.
Rust added to the soil does not mean it is available to the plant.
For it to be available it must be: 1)soluble in water 2)stable across a range of ph's and 3)Not be locked up in clay or other organic matter.
This is why iron sulphate often does not correct iron deficiency, but rather iron chelates are most effective.


Time: 24th August 2012 11:57pm

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Brendan says...
The garden guru up here says this:

"You recommended I put sulphate of iron on my gardens...is that the same as iron chelates???

Posted by: Kerry

Reply: No. Chelates is instantly soluble in water and is used as a foliage spray. Sulphate of Iron is applied to the soil as a long term solution."

Makes sense to me :-)


Time: 25th August 2012 7:15am

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