July 30th, 2020 by Sarah Miles

One of the biggest success factors when growing vegetables lies in the soil as this is where your plants will take most of their nutrients from. One way of determining the quality of your soil is to test its pH level. You can buy a simple kit to do this for a few pounds. Most vegetables grow best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, which is slightly acidic. Vegetables such as potatoes, aubergine, tomatoes, peppers, squash and kale all thrive well in acidic soil. Adding iron sulphate to your soil will make it more acidic so if you want to grow veg successfully, this can be a really useful exercise.

Warding off iron chlorosis

Iron chlorosis is a condition that plants can suffer from caused by iron deficiency. It manifests itself in the yellowing of plant leaves. Left untreated, it will eventually kill the plant. Plants are very dependent on iron as it is vital to functions such as enzyme and chlorophyll production. Adding iron sulphate to soil is a good way to give your vegetables access to the iron that they need and allow them to become strong and healthy plants.

Applying iron sulphate

Iron sulphate often comes in granule or powder form and can be added directly into soil. Be careful not to use too much as you could risk making the soil too acidic. This is why it’s a good idea to test the pH level first. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions to determine how much to use and take care when applying as iron sulphate can be caustic. Make sure you water it in well as you would anything you’re adding to soil (keep an eye on the weather and apply before a heavy rainfall to save you a job!).

When to use iron sulphate

Iron sulphate can be applied every 4-6 weeks to maintain iron levels and acidity during growing season from March onwards. Keep checking the pH levels to guide you on how often to apply.