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Burt NY

Who has used it before and what results

12/1/2004 7:45:02 PM

Montoursville, PA

I have used Ironite for years. Today I rotate with three products on a yearly basis. Azomite from Fertrell, New Jersey Green Sand from Fertrell and Ironite. The results are that you build and maintain trace minerals that you do not have in your natural soil. Texas Green Sand is another alternative. I have never seen it merchandised in the North East. I use about one half of the sellers reccomendation because little is lost and really not much is used by the plants.

The soundest advise going is to use manures, compost, leaves, a cover crop and mineralization. Modest yearly adjustment to a PH of 6.5 to 7.0 makes the package work better and meets the needs of your patch as well as that of the pumpkin that will live there. Take care of the soil first!

12/2/2004 10:49:30 AM

Puyallup, WA

I've used the product as well when I wanted to increase the "iron" in the soil. Now I have readings of 66 and 99
ppm....plenty high. I will not add any more this spring.

12/3/2004 11:38:24 PM

San Diego, Ca.

Stan, at what rate did you apply it? Just wondering.

12/11/2004 3:11:27 AM

Puyallup, WA

One sack per 2000 sq.ft. More around the planting mound than in the periphery.

12/11/2004 8:24:47 AM

San Diego, Ca.

1 sack, as in a 25lb or a 10lb bag? (they sell different sized sacks here.)

12/11/2004 11:00:04 AM

Montoursville, PA

The first year I used half a twenty five pound bag, of Ironite, on 1000 sq. ft or roughly one tenth, of an acre, in the fall. The remainder went on in the spring.

My follow up years were half that amount of any trace mineral product. I too find it difficult to find guidance about using trace minerals. Basically I think after two or three years no more would be needed unless specific needs showed up, in your soil tests.

I do find that many writers claim trace minerals are very neccessary but very little, of any one, is used. That is why I use several sources thinking the mix of trace minerals may be slightly different, in different sources. I do not think there is any basic magic one trace mineral that is anyone's secret. I rather think we do not very much, on this subject and just include it like a vitamin pill, to cover all bases lightly.

12/11/2004 2:10:55 PM

San Diego, Ca.

Doc, I am headed down the same road as you. I added Azomite last year so a dose of Ironite will probably be given this next season.

12/11/2004 3:20:57 PM

Belgium

I am going to use it this coming year

Jake

12/18/2004 3:14:07 PM