Use iron fertilizer against weeds

Why do plants need iron?

Even though crops only need a very small amount of iron, a deficiency quickly becomes noticeable. If too little of the trace element is present, the leaves turn yellow, but the leaf veins remain bright green. This is known in the technical jargon as chlorosis.

The following are particularly prone to iron deficiency:

• Citrus
• Magnolias
• Hydrangeas
• Roses
• Rhododendron.

Does iron fertilizer directly help against weeds?

To the Weed killing iron fertilizer is not suitable. Often this is recommended by the trade for exactly this purpose, as a pure weed killer or Lawn fertilizer against weeds however, it is unsuitable.

If there is an iron (II) sulfate deficiency, which has been proven by a soil sample and which causes weeds and mosses to thrive excessively, you should use the preparation with great care. The highly corrosive agent can be harmful to human and animal health. In addition, iron fertilizer acidifies the soil further, so that undesirable plants that have specialized in these conditions find continuously improving conditions. In particular, moss, which loves acidic soils, spreads quickly again despite its use.

How dangerous is iron fertilizer?

Even if the name suggests otherwise: iron fertilizer is not a fertilizer. This is a chemical preparation with toxic ingredients. If iron (II) sulfate comes into contact with water or liquids, it reacts to corrosive sulfuric acid in addition to other gases.

Iron fertilizers are often recommended by specialist retailers for combating moss and weeds, but are just as harmful to other plants. Please keep this in mind when using it. Strictly follow the instructions printed on the packaging. Protective clothing must also be worn when spreading, even if this is not always explicitly stated. Contact with the preparation can lead to painful and dangerous irritation of the eyes and skin.